I Give in, Who Dey and Go Bengals

I became a Steelers fan on January 12^th, 1975.

I was six years old. Pittsburgh beat Minnesota in the Super Bowl on that day. My dad gave me a Steelers jacket from Sears and informed me that I was to be a fan from this point forward. There was no ask in that conversation by the way. I was thrilled to have a real-life — or so I thought — jacket that Franco Harris wore on the sidelines. So, as you can imagine, it’s challenging for me to cheer for a Steelers’ rival. I’ve attended Pittsburgh games in Cincinnati stadiums on many occasions. The black and gold seemed to outnumber the black and orange during each win for my favorite team. 

Family matters to me. My entire inner circle is Bengals fans. Heck, I didn’t realize that until this season because their team was normally irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. They often text “Who Dey” and wear that team’s apparel on Sundays. I honestly didn’t know or pay attention to their rooting interests until Cincy made the run to LA. The Bengals also have a tie to Corbin, Kentucky. Punt returner Trent Taylor is a good friend of my nephew. My sister taught him in second grade before his family moved to Louisiana. I can’t cheer against Trent, right? 

Joe Burrow is a stud and I am a fan. The ultra-cool, former LSU quarterback is a winner who exudes confidence that resonates with his teammates and city. He’s transformed a franchise from the laughing stock of the league to four quarters shy of the ultimate prize. Selecting Ja’Marr Chase in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft was scrutinized by me and countless others. There was a dire need for offensive line help to protect the franchise QB. That pick turned out to be gold. Chase went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year and is on pace to be an all-timer. 

Cincy’s run has been one of fortune and chance. The 2021 season was a perfect storm of opportunity in the AFC North. Ben’s last run in Pittsburgh was rough. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson battled injuries and Cleveland imploded. The Burrow-led Bengals pounced on the occasion to rise. Cincinnati hosted its first playoff game and beat the Raiders 26-19. Then, things got interesting. 

The Bengals went on the road and defeated Drew Franklin’s and Tyler Thompson’s top-ranked Tennessee Titans 19-16. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was awful and threw three interceptions including an untimely, late-game pick that led to an epic Bengals’ upset win. Burrow was sacked nine times but kicker Evan McPherson was money when it counted for Cincinnati to advance to the AFC championship game at Kansas City. The Chiefs jumped out to a big lead before Burrow and a surprisingly stout Bengals’ defense led a comeback for the ages. Patrick Mahomes’ second-half performance was less than stellar. McPherson was again money by booting a 31-yard field goal in overtime for the win. Adam Luckett’s team earned a trip to the Super Bowl. 

Are the Bengals a team of destiny or are have they benefited from opposing team’s misfortunes? I say both and that’s ok. Does it really matter how a team makes it to the Super Bowl? It takes a few breaks to go on a championship run regardless of sport. Irrespective of today’s outcome, Cincy has united a fan base that stretches across the Ohio River into Kentucky. That matters to me. 

The excitement that Burrow and company have created has been extremely fun to watch. Countless friends and family will gather today to cheer on the Bengals. The world will also be watching the unlikely Super Bowl participants and will be rooting for the underdogs. There is a David and Goliath theme for today’s Super Bowl. Cincinnati entered the playoffs with a 10-7 record and coming off a 4-11-1 season in 2020. Cincy’s last Super Bowl appearance was 33-years ago. The opposing Rams are a modern-day all-star team led by a hot-shot head coach. Tonight is a classic matchup of small-market vs. mega-market franchises. If you can’t notice, I’m talking myself into a rooting interest. 

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but here we go. Who Dey and Go Bengals! There, I said it. Those are not easy words for a diehard Steelers fan to express. But, family matters. Kentucky also matters. I’ve found it refreshing and beautiful to observe so many Bengals fans proudly support their team. The city is buzzing with excitement. Cincy fans in Kentucky are justifiably vocal and extraordinarily proud on Super Bowl Sunday. I’m standing with you. 

For today, and today only, Go Bengals! Who Dey State.