The history of the Cincinnati Bengals is one of the most fascinating stories in the NFL. Founded by Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown, The Bengals entered the American Football League in 1968 and became part of the NFL following the AFL-NFL merger. The franchise has produced Hall of Fame players, NFL MVPs, innovative offenses, dramatic playoff victories and three Super Bowl appearances. Cincinnati has yet to win a Super Bowl, but the Bengals have built several teams that came within one game of becoming NFL champions. From Ken Anderson and Anthony Muñoz, to Boomer Esiason and Ickey Woods, to Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer, and finally to Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals have repeatedly built their identity around talented quarterbacks, explosive receivers and some of the most memorable personalities in football. The Birth of the Bengals The Bengals’ story begins with Paul Brown. After leaving the Cleveland Browns following the 1962 season, Brown remained away from professional football for several years. He eventually became the driving force behind bringing professional football back to Cincinnati. Cincinnati was awarded an AFL franchise in 1967, with Brown becoming the organization’s founder, head coach and general manager. The team began play in 1968. Brown chose the name Bengals, a name that connected the new franchise to previous Cincinnati professional football teams that had used the same nickname. The Bengals struggled during their first season, finishing 3-11, but Brown immediately demonstrated his ability to build an expansion team. The following year, Cincinnati drafted quarterback Greg Cook fifth overall. Cook became an instant sensation. Unfortunately, his shoulder injury during the third game of the 1969 season permanently altered what appeared to be a potentially spectacular career. Cook won AFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and the AFL passing title, but he played only one more game after 1969. His story remains one of the great “what if?” stories in Bengals history. Bengals Owners The Bengals have had remarkable ownership continuity compared with most NFL franchises. 1967-1991: Paul Brown Paul Brown was the founder and controlling figure of the franchise. He remained the organization’s principal owner and general manager until his death in 1991. 1983-1990: John Sawyer: John Sawyer became a significant shareholder and served as an owner/president during the later Paul Brown years. 1991-Present: Mike Brown and the Brown Family Following Paul Brown’s death in 1991, his son Mike Brown assumed control of the franchise. The Brown family has retained controlling ownership ever since. The Bengals have therefore remained locally owned throughout their history. The team said in 2011 that the Brown family continued to hold the controlling interest after purchasing shares previously held by the estate of original shareholder Austin E. “Dutch” Knowlton. Original Ownership Group The original franchise also included several Cincinnati investors, including Austin E. “Dutch” Knowlton, John Sawyer and other local investors. Knowlton was an important early shareholder, and the Bengals later purchased his estate’s stake. So, in terms of the franchise’s controlling ownership: Paul Brown → Mike Brown/Brown family That continuity is one of the defining characteristics of the Bengals. Home Stadiums The Bengals have played in three principal home stadiums. 1. Nippert Stadium — 1968-1969 The Bengals played their first two seasons at Nippert Stadium, on the University of Cincinnati campus. The stadium was considerably smaller than the downtown facility that was being constructed, but it became the birthplace of Bengals football. Cincinnati played its first preseason game there in August 1968. 2. Riverfront Stadium — 1970-1999In 1970 the Bengals moved downtown to Riverfront Stadium, which they shared with baseball’s Cincinnati Reds. The stadium became the backdrop for some of the greatest moments in franchise history, including: The 1970 AFC Central championship Ken Anderson’s MVP season The 1981 playoff run The 1982 “Freezer Bowl” victory The 1988 Super Bowl season The Ickey Shuffle The stadium was renamed Cinergy Field in 1996 and remained the Bengals’ home through the 1999 season. 3. Paycor Stadium — 2000-Present The Bengals moved into their new riverfront stadium in 2000. It was originally called Paul Brown Stadium, honoring the franchise founder. In 2022, naming rights were sold to Cincinnati-based Paycor, making the official name Paycor Stadium. The stadium remains the home of the Bengals in 2026. It has become known throughout the NFL as “The Jungle.” The Paul Brown Era Brown coached the Bengals from 1968 through 1975. His teams reached the playoffs three times, including the remarkable 1970 season. In only their third season, the Bengals won the AFC Central at 8-6 and became the youngest franchise at the time to reach the playoffs. Brown won the AFL Coach of the Year Award in 1969 and the AP NFL Coach of the… Continue reading Cincinnati Bengals History: From Paul Brown to Joe Burrow
Tag: Andrew Whitworth
NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS WEEK 14 NFL 12/10-13-14/2020
2020 WalterPayton NFL Man of the Year nominees Team Nominee Arizona Cardinals Corey Peters Atlanta Falcons Steven Means Baltimore Ravens Bradley Bozeman Buffalo Bills Harrison Phillips Carolina Panthers Shaq Thompson Chicago Bears Jimmy Graham Cincinnati Bengals Geno Atkins Cleveland Browns Myles Garrett Dallas Cowboys Jaylon Smith Denver Broncos Justin Simmons Detroit Lions Trey Flowers Green Bay Packers Corey Linsley Houston Texans Michael Thomas Indianapolis Colts Jacoby Brissett Jacksonville Jaguars Josh Lambo Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce Las Vegas Raiders Alec Ingold Los Angeles Chargers Isaac Rochell Los Angeles Rams Andrew Whitworth Miami Dolphins Byron Jones Minnesota Vikings Eric Kendricks New England Patriots Devin McCourty New Orleans Saints Demario Davis New York Giants Dalvin Tomlinson New York Jets Pierre Desir Philadelphia Eagles Rodney McLeod Pittsburgh Steelers Vance McDonald San Francisco 49ers Arik Armstead Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans Tennessee Titans Kevin Byard Washington Football Team Jonathan Allen Football Team: QB Alex Smith questionable after calf injury. CHIEFS CLINCH AFC WEST DIVISION TITLE. STEELERS CLINCH AFC NORTH PLAYOFF SPOT. PACKERS CLINCH NFC NORTH DIVISION TITLE. SAINTS CLINCH NFC SOUTH PLAYOFF SPOT. CHIEFS QB Patrick Mahomes TIES * NFL record Sunday against the Dolphins. (Tie is with Cardinals’ Stoney Case for a 30-yard loss in 1997). Mahomes. The tied record was a 30 yd loss via SACK. On 3rd and 12 on the Chiefs own 33 yd line, Mahomes was chased back to their own 3 yd line to be sacked by Jerome Baker. He also doubled his season interceptions. The second INT doubled his season INTs. He went on for a 3rd INT. * The 30 yd sack IS the BIGGEST LOSS in NFL history that didn’t nvolve a fumble or an intentional safety. (It would seem to follow; Jerome Baker share a RECORD for LONGEST SACK) (?) VIKINGS: Kicker‘ Dan Bailey missed four kicks, thus. leaving 10 points on the table. MARSHAWN LYNCH says he would return to NFL for only one reason. Another Super Bowl Ring. I was a huge fan of Lynch….until he turned his back on AMERICA, joining Colin Kapernick and his turncoats showing disrespect for the country which made them millionaires. I respect their rights to do the dispicable things they did. BUT I believe the action they took did more harm than good. They should have chosen some way to express their feelings with HONOR, not DISHONORING our USA. I could never support him, he has lost my respect. PATRIOTS: 17 Years of 10 plus wins ended last night with the TNF loss to Rams. BEARS: Temporarily closed facility, Positive COVID-19. LB Khalil Mack (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday versus the Texans. BENGALS: Placed OT Jonah Williams (knee) on IR. Williams will not need surgery. They also activated cornerback Darius Phillips from IR S Brandon Wilson (hamstring) and WR Tamaurice William “Tee” Higgins (hamstring) are questionable for Sunday versus the Cowboys. S Trayvon Henderson, WR Stanley Morgan, and DT Kahill McKenzie to the active roster. BILLS; Sign GM Brandon Beane through 2025. LB Tyrel Dodson activaed from IR. Tyrel Dodson as been activated from the injured reserve list. BROWNS: TE Austin Hooper was added to the injury report wi.th a neck injury. CB Denzel Ward (calf) and WO KhaDarel Hodge have been ruled out BRONCOS: G Graham Glasgow (foot) is doubtful for Sunday against Panthers. Waived RB Jeremy Cox. S Trey Marshall (shin) and WR Tyrie Cleveland (illness) have also been downgraded to OUT. Activated LB Tyrie Cleveland from IR., TE Troy Fumagalli and S Alijah Holder from practice squad to the active roster and elevated linebacker Josh Watson as a COVID-19 replacement. BUCCANEERS: CB Jamel Dean (groin) will be a game-time decision. He is listed as doubtful CARDINALS: DL Jordan Phillips to return from IR. WR DeAndre Hopkins, (neck, and back) Questionable. CB Johnathan Joseph (neck) on IR. Downgraded kicker Johnathan Joseph to OUT for Sunday’s game vs. the Giants Elevated Mike Nugent from the practice squad. . TE Seth DeValve moved from practice squad to active roster. CHARGERS: LB Denzel Perryman is doubtful to play Sunday versus the Falcons. CHIEFS: S Tyrann Mathieu is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. G Stefen Wisniewski and CB Chris Lammons, Moved to active roster. COLTS: Placed OT Le’Raven Clark on injured reserve. OT Anthony Castonzo (knee) is questionable for Sunday’s game versus the Raiders. Punter Ryan Allen and CTR Joey Hunt to active roster. Tackle Anthony Castonzo, listed as questionable with a knee injury. Philip Rivers‘ turf toe injury is improving. Rivers is likely to need offseason surgery for the injury. COWBOYS: RB Ezekiel Elliott (calf) is questionable to play Sunday versus the Bengals. OT Cameron Erving (knee) was placed on injured reserve. Ezekiel Elliott expected to play Sunday. DOLPHINS: G Ereck Flowers and rRB Salvon Ahmed will not play Sunday versus the Chiefs LBs Elandon Roberts and Kyle Van Noy will be questionable. EAGLES: Bench QB Carson Wentz. ROOKIE Jalen Hurts to start against SAINTS. OT Jason Peters OUT for season, (toe Surgery). CB Kevon Seymour, LB Rashad Smith and CB Jameson Houston to active roster. Placed G Marcus Peters on IR. FALCONS: WR Julio Jones will sit out this weeks game against Chargers. (Hamstring). DB T.J. Green and C Willie Wright to the active roster. OL Kaleb McGary OUT. FOOTBALL TEAM: RB Antonio Gibson questionable to play against 49’ers this week. Painful TURF TOE. Backup TE Temarrick Hemingway suffered a dislocated wrist this past week against the Steelers and he will miss the rest of theseason. GIANTS:QB Daniel Jones (hamstring) DB Darnay Holmes (knee), LB Blake Martinez (back) and OT Matt Peart (ankle) are questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. DB Jarren Williams to active roster. JAGUAR: TE Tyler Eifert (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday versus the Titans. JETS Rookie RB Denzel Mims is currently away from the team dealing with a personal issue that could affect his statusJ for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. S Ashtyn Davis, G Greg Van Roten, LB Jordan Jenkins and WR Denzel Mims have been ruled out for Sunday versus the Seahawks. WR Jamison Crowder (calf) is questionable, and RB Frank Gore, who remains in… Continue reading NFL CONFIDENCE PICKS WEEK 14 NFL 12/10-13-14/2020
