A Cincinnati Bengals Legend: Thank you A.J. Green

As A.J. Green trotted off the field at Paul Brown Stadium, Bengals’ fans took a final look at the former number four overall pick in orange and black.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected A.J. Green with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He came in during a new wave of offensive talent paired with Andy Dalton and immediately made the franchise that calls Paul Brown Stadium home relevant again.

Green started off his career with seven straight Pro Bowl selections. Unfortunately, he then went on to suffer injuries that forced him to miss half of the 2018 season and all of the 2019 season.

The stellar wideout came into 2020 looking to be the veteran presence on the outside for rookie Joe Burrow. That certainly didn’t come to fruition, as Green had five games without a reception, caught only 47 receptions on the year, and scored just two touchdowns.

Despite the unfortunate turn his career has taken as of recently, Green helped the Bengals during their stretch of five straight playoff victories and was a key member of the dominant offense that was the 2015 Bengals. In total, he raked in 649 receptions for 9,430 yards and 65 touchdowns, only one behind Chad Johnson’s franchise record.

All Cincinnati fans will remember the Hail Mary against the Ravens in 2013 and against the Browns in 2016. They’ll remember the three-touchdown prime time game at home against the Ravens. They’ll remember the touchdown catch in Atlanta with seven seconds to go to take the team to 3-1 in 2018.

A.J. Green has been all that the Bengals can ask for and more

A.J. Green has been not only a fantastic player but has been an even better person. That may be a cliche statement, but it truly applies here. Since his arrival in Cincinnati, the spotlight has never had to be on him. He did not follow the usual diva mentality of star wide receivers.

Instead, he put his head down and worked. He proved to be a quiet leader in the locker room for the past nine seasons. He’s been a true mentor to young receivers Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. And unlike a lot of past Bengals players during their departure, Green leaves with his head held high and no hard feelings for the Bengals, Brown family, or the city of Cincinnati.

I hope that all Bengals fans understand how great A.J. Green truly is. If not for injuries, Green stands miles and away as the best receiver in franchise history, and may still hold that title even with injuries included.

Green has been a pro’s pro and has been a truly unforgettable player in Cincinnati. I think I speak for every single Cincinnati Bengals fan around the world when I say:

Thank you A.J.