- 1968
- 1970
- 1991
- 2000
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Cincinnati Bengals Team Formation
By 1966, Paul Brown wanted to become involved in professional football again. James A. Rhodes, then the governor of Ohio, convinced Brown that Ohio needed a second team. Cincinnati was deemed the logical choice, in essence, splitting the state. In 1967 a Cincinnati-based ownership group led by Paul Brown was granted a franchise in the American Football League. Brown named ... -
Move in to Riverfront Stadium
In 1970 the Bengals moved to play at Riverfront Stadium, a home they shared with the Cincinnati Reds until the team moved to Paul Brown Stadium in 2000. Despite Cincinnati’s love of baseball, it was the prospect of a professional football team that finally moved the city to end twenty years of discussion and build a new stadium on the ... -
Paul Brown Dies
Paul Brown, the legendary NFL personality and innovator, died in 1991. He had already transferred control to his son, Mike Brown, but was reported to still influence the daily operations of the team. Shortly after his death, the Bengals’ fortunes changed for the worse a long time. -
Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals’ founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately 22 acres of land and has a listed capacity of 65,535. Paul Brown ...
History of the Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. Founded in 1966, they have been a mainstay of the AFC North since their inception and have made several deep playoff runs throughout their 54-year existence. The team has also seen its fair share of controversy over the years, from controversial head coaches to player arrests and suspensions due to off-field incidents. Despite all this tumult, one thing remains constant: The Cincinnati Bengals’ commitment to winning football games.
In 1981 under legendary coach Forrest Gregg (who led them for seven seasons), the Bengals went 12–4 en route to an appearance in Super Bowl XVI against Joe Montana’s San Francisco 49ers—a game that ended with a heartbreaking 26–21 loss for Cincy fans everywhere. However, two years later, when Coach Sam Wyche took over as head coach, things turned around dramatically; during his eight-year tenure, he guided them back into contention with four playoff appearances and an astonishing 91 wins overall! In 1988 (Wyche's second season), they even advanced through three rounds before eventually losing Super Bowl XXIII 20–16 against Steve Young's 49ers squad—one of only six occasions where teams had reached consecutive Super Bowls without having won either game prior!
Under Marvin Lewis' leadership from 2003 until 2018 (the longest coaching stint yet at 15 seasons!), there were many more successes, including five division titles plus another trip back into postseason play after missing out on playoffs during Wyche’s time as well as multiple Pro-Bowl selections for individual players such as Chad Johnson/Ochocinco who electrified audiences both on & off field alike - not forgetting Carson Palmer whose stellar performance earned him ‘Comeback Player Of The Year Award’ honors twice within four short years!
As we look forward to what 2019 has in store – Andy Dalton is set to lead once again while Zac Taylor takes up the mantle left by Lewis – we can be sure that whatever happens, these proud franchises will continue fighting tooth & nail every single week no matter how tough times may get because ultimately nothing matters more than bringing home championship glory which would undoubtedly make every fan smile ear-to ear if ever achieved…
Bengals Products
Established
1968
City
Cincinnati
League History
1970 - Present / National Football League
1968 - 1969 / American Football League
Team History
1968 - Present / Cincinnati Bengals
Nickname
Bengals - The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, and their nickname has been part of that legacy since the team’s inception. But where did it come from? Let’s take a look at how this iconic nickname came to be.
The Bengals were founded by Paul Brown in 1968 as an expansion franchise for the AFL. When naming his new team, Brown wanted something unique and different from other teams around the league. He settled on “Bengals” after being inspired by a book he read about Bengal tigers while vacationing with his family in India during World War II. The name was meant to evoke strength, power, and courage – qualities that perfectly encapsulate football!
Since then, fans have embraced the moniker wholeheartedly; they proudly wear jerseys emblazoned with orange stripes like those found on Bengal Tigers when attending games or watching them at home on TV! It's no wonder why so many people consider themselves die-hard fans of this beloved franchise: not only do they get to cheer for some great athletes every Sunday (and Monday night!), but also because there is such an interesting backstory behind its unique nickname!
For any sports fan interested in learning more about their favorite NFL team - especially its origin story - understanding how Cincinnati got its name is essential! So next time you're cheering on your hometown heroes or talking shop with fellow superfans around town, know precisely why these cats go by "the Bengals."
Championship
Super Bowl 0
Stadium
2000 - Present / Paul Brown Stadium
1996 - 1999 / Cinergy Field
1970 - 1996 / Riverfront Stadium
1968 - 1969 / Nippert Stadium
Owner
1991 - Present / Mike Brown
1968 - 1991 / Paul Brown
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
54 / Bob Johnson
*Blue is this team’s history
