The Missing Link: Cincinnati Bengals need a Ring of Honor

The Cincinnati Bengals are hitting a milestone this season, celebrating 50 years as an NFL Franchise. But, something very important is still missing.

The Cincinnati Bengals have had so many great players over the course of the franchise’s first 50 years in the NFL. Anthony Munoz, Ken Anderson, Corey Dillon, Chad Johnson, are just a few that come to immediate memory.

But, these players still haven’t been paid their due when it comes to being honored by the team they poured their blood, sweat and tears out for.

Cincinnati is one of the only teams in the NFL that do not have a Ring of Honor to celebrate its heroes of days past. In fact, the Bengals have only retired one jersey number, Bob Johnson’s No. 54.

Johnson had a stellar career for the Bengals after being selected as the team’s first pick ever in 1968. He was rewarded, and so should the other legends on the long list that awaits.

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Here is a short list of players and coaches that deserve immediate induction:

• Cris Collinsworth
• Ken Anderson
• Ken Riley
• Anthony Munoz
• Isaac Curtis
• Boomer Esiason
• Chad Johnson
• Takeo Spikes
• Corey Dillon
• Paul Brown
• Tim Krumrie
• Charlie Joiner

This is a topic we’ve covered before. And it’s probably something we’ll cover again, as long as the Bengals continue to shut out its own history.

Recently, Bengals Owner Mike Brown hinted at the potential of adding a Ring of Honor but still won’t commit. Check out his comments on the topic in the tweet below.

It’s a good sign that Brown is entertaining the thought of adding the Ring of Honor, but to be honest, this needs to happen — and soon. The Bengals have a website Hall of Fame, but that doesn’t cut it for me.

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Take care of those that carried this franchise through its glory years in the 80’s and through its toughest times in the 90’s.

Football players don’t live forever and the players from yesteryear deserve the ultimate recognition. Let’s make it happen, Mike. The Queen City and its fans are waiting.