The Cincinnati Bengals announced 17 finalists for their Ring of Honor.
Now, it feels like a party. The Cincinnati Bengals are no strangers to fan loyalty. Anyone who has been there or has seen it firsthand knows that there’s nothing like Paul Brown Stadium aka The Jungle when the Bengals are playing well. It can make the opposing team feel as though they’re under attack.
If you’re a fan of Cincinnati’s, you’ve no doubt been rocked by the tough times. This is a franchise that may have been a dynasty had it not been for those San Francisco 49ers teams of the eighties. The Bengals lost in two Super Bowls to the Niners, on January 24th of 1982 and on January 22nd of 1989 by a combined nine points.
Their last playoff win was on January 6th of 1997, and they’ve lost in their last seven postseason appearances.
Bengals fans have seen some great players while cheering for this team though, and recently, they announced the finalists for their inaugural class to enter the franchise’s Ring of Honor. Paul Brown and Anthony Munoz have already been inducted. The other two guys will be selected by the votes of fans.
Here’s who is still in the running and a few thoughts on each one. Consider this an attempt to show a little love to 17 former Bengals who, honestly, will land in the Ring of Honor at some point.
Here are eight Bengals that definitely deserve to be on this list.
Yes, you read everything correctly. There are 17 Bengals. You, as fans, have to choose two after the franchise has already announced that Paul Brown and Anthony Munoz are already in.
Check out some of these names folks!
Ken Anderson: This four-time Pro Bowler (1975, 1976, 1981, 1982) won the Bert Bell Award in 1981 during a magical season where he also won NFL Offensive Player of the Year, NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and League MVP.
Willie Anderson: Willie Anderson is another four-time Pro Bowler (2003–2006) who earned a First-team All-Pro nod in every season from 2004 to 2006 as well as a Second-team All-Pro in 2003.
Jim Breech: Believe it or not, Jim Breech was an eighth-round draft selection by the Bengals in 1978. He went on to make 501 of 519 extra points and 234 of 324 field goals as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals if you include what he did in the postseason. That’s 1,203 points for all of you math experts out there.
Here are four skill players and a quarterback that Bengals fans haven’t forgotten.
James Brooks: After three years as a member of what was then known as the San Diego Chargers, James Brooks spent eight seasons with the Bengals. He earned four Pro Bowl nods, racked up 6,592 rushing yards, and 3,096 receiving yards as a member of the Bengals (if you include the playoffs).
Cris Collinsworth: Before there was Pro Football Focus and Sunday Night Football on NBC to worry about, Cris Collinsworth was a three-time Pro Bowler (1981–1983), a three-time Second-team All-Pro (1981, 1982, 1985), and a First-team All-Pro in 1983.
Isaac Curtis: 12 seasons in a Bengals jersey led to four Pro Bowl nods (1973–1976) and three All-Pro nods (1974–1976). This isn’t a list if he isn’t on it.
Corey Dillion: One of the greatest tailbacks in Bengals history racked up three Pro Bowl nods in Cincinnati’s jersey before earning another and winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.
Boomer Esiason: It’s been a long time since the lefty tossed a football, but Boomer Esiason is still one of the greatest legends in team history.
It’s going to be hard not to vote for any of these Bengals.
Seriously, how do you leave any of these guys off of the list? Well, that’s how the cookies crumble sometimes. You’ve already been introduced (or reintroduced) to eight team legends. Here are nine more.
David Fulcher: This young man appeared in 106 career games with 103 starts if you include what he’s done in the postseason. He earned three Pro Bowl nods (1988–1990), a First-Team All-Pro nod in 1989, and a Second-Team All-Pro nod in 1990.
Chad Johnson: All you need to say is ‘Ochocinco’ (even though that doesn’t mean 85), and everyone knows who you’re talking about.
Tim Krumrie: Tim Krumrie is most remembered for his Super Bowl injury, but what he should be remembered for is 1,017 tackles, 34.5 sacks, two Pro Bowl nods (1987, 1988), a First-Team All-Pro nod in 1988, and a Second-Team All-Pro nod in 1987.
Dave Lapham: Dave Lapham appeared in 145 games with the Bengals in ten seasons from 1974 to 1983 with 110 starts. He’ll wind up in the Bengals Ring of Honor, if not now then soon.
Don’t be surprised if one of these five Bengals winds up in the Ring of Honor.
Max Montoya: Aside from having a name that makes him sound like a superhero, Max Montoya made his name famous by appearing in 168 games with 155 starts in 11 seasons as a member of the Bengals. He earned three Pro Bowl nods (1986, 1988, 1989) and a Second-team All-Pro nod in 1989 while with Cincinnati and four total Pro Bowl nods.
Lemar Parrish: This young man should actually have a bust in Canton, Ohio already. He earned eight Pro Bowl nods during his career, three First-team All-Pro nods, and two Second-team All-Pro nods.
Six of those Pro Bowl nods (1970, 1971, 1974–1977), two of those First-team nods (1976, 1979, 1980), and both of those Second-team All-Pro nods (1974, 1975) came as a member of the Bengals.
Ken Riley: There is absolutely no reason why Ken Riley shouldn’t be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This former sixth-round draft choice spent every one of his 15 seasons with the Bengals, first with the AFL in 1969 and then from 1970 to 1983 once Cincy joined the National Football League.
He’s a three-time All-Pro (1975, 1976, 1983) who earned two MEAC Coach of the Year nods when his playing days are over (1988, 1990).
Bob Trumpy: Believe it or not, Bob Trumpy is a two-time AFL All-star (1968, 1969) and a two-time Pro Bowl nod (1970, 1973) who, believe it or not, was a 12th-round draft choice in 1968.
Reggie Williams: Reggie Williams is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame that, no doubt, will be inducted into the Bengals’ Ring of Honor at some point.
14 seasons, 213 career games with 203 starts, if you include his postseason appearances, to go along with 62.5 sacks and 16 interceptions will go a long way in finishing that tale.