Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals exist because of one man: Paul Brown. After being forced out of the Cleveland Browns in 1963 by owner Art Modell, the legendary coach wasn’t finished. Determined to build again, he founded a new franchise in Ohio. In 1968, the Bengals were born, and from day one their colours — orange, brown, and white — deliberately mirrored the Cleveland Browns. It was a not-so-subtle reminder that Paul Brown was still here, still innovating, and still shaping the NFL.

The split with Modell was bitter, but the Bengals soon had their revenge. In their early years they repeatedly took the field against their northern rivals, and nothing pleased Brown more than watching his new team beat the Browns — proof that his methods worked wherever he went. When the Bengals opened their own stadium in 2000, it was named Paul Brown Stadium in his honour, a rare tribute to a coach whose influence stretched from the AAFC to the NFL and beyond.

Ownership remains a family affair. Today the team is run by Mike Brown, Paul’s son, making the Bengals one of the few franchises still owned by the founder’s family. The continuity isn’t just business; it’s identity, a through-line from Paul’s whistle to the stripes on today’s jerseys.

The Bengals’ on-field story is one of brilliance mixed with heartbreak. They’ve reached the Super Bowl three times — in 1981 (XVI), 1988 (XXIII), and most recently 2021 (LVI) — but lost them all, twice to Joe Montana’s 49ers and once in a nail-biter to the Rams. Along the way, they’ve produced some of the NFL’s most memorable stars: quarterback Ken Anderson, wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, quarterback Boomer Esiason, and wideout A.J. Green. Their striped helmets, introduced in 1981, became one of the most distinctive looks in all of sport — bold, brash, and unmistakably Bengal.

Now, the new era belongs to Joe Burrow. Drafted first overall in 2020, “Joe Cool” has transformed the Bengals into contenders again. In just his second full season he led them to the Super Bowl, and alongside Ja’Marr Chase and a young core, he has turned Cincinnati into one of the NFL’s most exciting teams. With his poise, accuracy, and toughness, Burrow represents exactly what Paul Brown built the Bengals for: innovation, resilience, and the belief that a small-market team can roar with the biggest.

The city they represent has its own remarkable story. Cincinnati was founded in 1788 on the north bank of the Ohio River. It was originally called Losantiville, but in 1790 the governor of the Northwest Territory renamed it Cincinnati to honour the Society of the Cincinnati — a group of Revolutionary War veterans named for the Roman statesman Cincinnatus, famed for serving his republic and then returning to his farm. It was a name meant to evoke civic virtue and strength.

Cincinnati grew rapidly in the 19th century as a gateway to the American West. The Ohio River made it a thriving port, and the arrival of the Miami and Erie Canal and the railroads cemented its role as a transport hub. It became famous for its pork-packing industry, earning the nickname “Porkopolis.” The city’s factories turned out meat, soap (Procter & Gamble was founded here in 1837), machine tools, and beer, thanks to its large German immigrant community.

Today, Cincinnati’s economy has shifted but remains strong. Procter & Gamble is still headquartered downtown, while Kroger — one of the largest supermarket chains in the country — was founded here and remains based in the city. Fifth Third Bank, Western & Southern Financial Group, and Cintas also call Cincinnati home, anchoring its role as a hub of commerce, finance, and services. From pork barrels to consumer goods, Cincinnati has always found ways to reinvent itself — much like its football team.

The Cincinnati Bengals are more than a football team. They are Paul Brown’s second act, a family-run franchise, a team of near misses and bold stripes, of heartbreak and hope. They represent a city named for Roman virtue, built on pork, beer, and steamboats, now thriving on commerce and creativity. Three times they’ve come close, three times denied. But with Joe Burrow under centre and the city behind them, the jungle drums are beating again.