The Cincinnati Bengals were founded by legendary coach Paul Brown, who had previously founded and coached the Cleveland Browns.1)
The Bengals' home stadium is named after their founder, Paul Brown. It opened in 2000 and is one of the few NFL stadiums not named after a corporate sponsor.2)
The Bengals were one of the last two teams added to the American Football League (AFL) before it merged with the NFL.3)
The Bengals played their inaugural season in 1968 as part of the AFL before the merger with the NFL in 1970.4)
The Bengals are known for their distinctive tiger-striped helmets, which were introduced in 1981 and remain a fan favorite.5)
The Bengals’ team colors are black, orange, and white, reflecting the stripes and colors of a Bengal tiger.6)
The Bengals have appeared in three Super Bowls: XVI (1981), XXIII (1988), and LVI (2021), but they have yet to win a championship.7)
The Bengals went 31 years (1991-2021) without winning a playoff game, one of the longest streaks in NFL history.8)
Quarterback Joe Burrow, the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, led the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI in just his second season.9)
In 1988, Boomer Esiason won the NFL MVP award, leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl that season.10)
Ken Anderson, Bengals QB from 1971-1986, won the NFL MVP award in 1981 and is considered one of the most underrated quarterbacks in history.11)
Bengals fans refer to Paul Brown Stadium as “The Jungle,” a nod to the team’s tiger mascot and the song “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N' Roses, often played during games.12)
Fullback Ickey Woods popularized a touchdown dance known as the “Ickey Shuffle” during the 1988 season, becoming a national sensation.13)
The Bengals' biggest rivals are the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens, all of whom play in the AFC North.14)
“Who Dey?” is the Bengals' popular chant and slogan, believed to have originated in the 1980s. It’s short for “Who Dey think gonna beat dem Bengals?”15)
The Bengals experienced one of the worst stretches in NFL history between 1992 and 2002, with no playoff appearances and multiple last-place finishes.16)
The Bengals won their first playoff game in 1981, defeating the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.17)
Palmer, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, led the Bengals to their first playoff appearance in 15 years in 2005.18)
Wide receiver Chad Johnson, later known as Chad Ochocinco, was one of the most colorful personalities in NFL history, known for his touchdown celebrations.19)
The Bengals won their first AFC Central Division title in 1970, their first year in the NFL.20)
The Bengals defeated the Buffalo Bills to win the AFC Championship in 1988, advancing to Super Bowl XXIII.21)
Kicker Evan McPherson tied the team’s longest field goal record with a 58-yarder during the 2021 season.22)
The Bengals introduced their Ring of Honor in 2021, honoring franchise legends like Ken Anderson, Anthony Muñoz, and Paul Brown.23)
Muñoz is widely considered the greatest offensive lineman in NFL history. He spent his entire career (1980-1992) with the Bengals and is a Hall of Famer.24)
After Paul Brown passed away in 1991, ownership of the team passed to his son, Mike Brown, making them the only father-son duo to both own the same NFL team.25)
In 1982, the Bengals played the San Diego Chargers in the infamous “Freezer Bowl,” the coldest game in NFL history with a wind chill of -59°F.26)
In 2021, the Bengals made a surprise run to Super Bowl LVI, defeating the Raiders, Titans, and Chiefs in the playoffs.27)
The Bengals’ head coach from 1984-1991, Wyche is credited with innovating the no-huddle offense that revolutionized the game.28)
The Bengals played their first-ever Monday Night Football game in 1970, against the Miami Dolphins.29)
A longtime Bengals cornerback (1969-1983), Riley retired with 65 interceptions, a team record and among the most in NFL history.30)
In 2000, running back Corey Dillon set an NFL single-game rushing record with 278 yards, a mark that stood for six years.31)
Head coach Zac Taylor was hired in 2019 and led the Bengals to a Super Bowl just two years later.32)
Marvin Lewis, head coach from 2003 to 2018, is the longest-serving coach in Bengals history. He led the team to seven playoff appearances.33)
The Bengals’ playoff run in 2005 was cut short when QB Carson Palmer tore his ACL on the second play of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.34)
A 99-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Blake to Darnay Scott in 1995 is the longest in Bengals history.35)
The Bengals' mascot is a tiger named “Who Dey,” who entertains fans at games and community events.36)
The Bengals' first Super Bowl appearance came after winning the 1981 AFC Championship against the San Diego Chargers.37)
The Bengals played their first playoff game in 1970, losing to the Baltimore Colts.38)
Bengals QB Carson Palmer won NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2009 after recovering from an elbow injury.39)
One of the Bengals' all-time great receivers, A.J. Green was a 7-time Pro Bowler from 2011 to 2020.40)
The Bengals’ first-ever draft pick was Bob Johnson, a center, in the 1968 AFL/NFL Draft.41)
The Bengals won their first AFC North division title in six years in 2021, clinching it with a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.42)
The name “Bengals” was chosen to honor an earlier Cincinnati football team with the same name, which played in the 1930s.43)
The rivalry between the Bengals and Browns is sometimes called the “Battle of Ohio,” as both teams were founded by Paul Brown.44)
The Bengals’ longest single-season winning streak is 8 games, set during the 2015 season.45)