As I stroll across Sinclair Community College’s campus, I can’t help but notice the abundance of Cincinnati Bengals apparel that has sprung out of the corners of closets.
I’ve seen first hand what being a true Bengals fan does to a person. My father has been a Bengals fan since their inaugural season in 1968. Since that time, he has followed Cincinnati through its glory years when the franchise reached two Super Bowls in 1981 and 1988. His favorite Bengal of all-time was offensive tackle and Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz.
I’m not a Bengals fan, but being an honorable Cincinnati fan is not easy.
Since 1990, the Bengals reached the playoffs and finished with a record above .500 one time (2005). Being a true Cincinnati fan, my father stuck with his team as the Bengals became the whipping boy of the league.
It was sad, yet inspiring.
Thanks to my father, I learned to stick with my teams no matter their performance.
I used to be a jumper, too. When I was younger, I claimed I was a New York Yankees fan. It was a confusing time in my life, but I soon realized I had no connection with the Yankees. I simply liked them because they won, and that’s not right.
I remember 2005 fairly well. While the Bengals were on their way to winning the AFC North and clinching a playoff spot for the first time in 16 seasons, the amount of fans wearing orange and black went through the roof.
Where were these fans when Cincinnati accumulated a record of 52-108 during the 1990s? How about last season when the Bengals finished with four wins?
As of Oct. 17, the Bengals sit atop the AFC North with a 4-1 record. Take away the miracle tip that produced an opening week loss to the Denver Broncos and the Bengals could be undefeated through five games.
With Cincinnati playing good football, the fair-weather fans are becoming louder. All I ask is to stay loud no matter if your team is good or not.