History of the Cincinnati Bengals facts for kids
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team in the National Football League (NFL). They started as a new team in the American Football League (AFL) in 1968. The Bengals have played in three Super Bowls, but they lost all three. They lost twice to the San Francisco 49ers and once to the Los Angeles Rams.
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How the Bengals Started
The idea for the Bengals team began in 1965 with Paul Brown. He was a famous coach for the Cleveland Browns. In 1966, the city of Cincinnati approved building a new stadium. On May 23, 1967, Cincinnati was given a team in the American Football League. Paul Brown led a group of owners who bought the team.
Paul Brown was a very successful coach. He led the Cleveland Browns to many wins and championships. However, he was fired by the Browns' owner, Art Modell, in 1963. Brown wanted to get back into professional football. The governor of Ohio, James A. Rhodes, helped convince Brown that Ohio needed another team. Cincinnati was a good choice.
Brown named the team the Bengals. This was to honor an earlier Cincinnati Bengals team that played from 1937 to 1941. He wanted to connect his new team to Cincinnati's football past. Paul Brown chose orange and black as the team colors. He picked a simple logo: the word "BENGALS" in black letters.
In 1966, the AFL and NFL decided to merge. This meant all AFL teams would eventually join the NFL. Paul Brown then agreed to join the AFL. His team was guaranteed to become an NFL team after the merger in 1970. This was if a larger stadium was built by then. The AFL also let the Bengals play at Nippert Stadium for their first two seasons. This gave them time to build a new home.
The Cincinnati Reds baseball team also needed a new stadium. So, Hamilton County and Cincinnati agreed to build one big stadium for both teams. This new stadium was called Riverfront Stadium. It was ready for the 1970 NFL season. When the merger happened in 1970, the Bengals joined the NFL. They were placed in the same division as the Cleveland Browns. This created an instant rivalry between the two Ohio teams!
First Seasons and Early Years (1968-1979)
For their first two seasons (1968 and 1969), the Bengals played at Nippert Stadium. In their first season, they finished with a 3–11 record. A bright spot was running back Paul Robinson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards. He was named the AFL Rookie of the Year.
In 1970, the Bengals officially joined the NFL. They made their first playoff appearance that year. They won their division but lost to the Baltimore Colts. Founder Paul Brown coached the team for its first three seasons. Brown liked to draft players who were very smart. Many former Bengals players became successful commentators or artists.
In the summer of 1970, Riverfront Stadium opened. The Bengals shared this stadium with the Cincinnati Reds. The Bengals moved to Paul Brown Stadium (now Paycor Stadium) in 2000. The Bengals won their division in 1970, their first year in the NFL.
Famous Players from the 1970s
- Ken Anderson (1971–1986): He played 16 seasons, more than any other Bengals player. Ken led the team to their first Super Bowl. He won the NFL MVP award in 1981.
- Isaac Curtis (1973–1984): A fast wide receiver known for his great catches. He played 12 seasons and held the team record for receiving yards for a long time.
- Bob Trumpy (1968–1977): A tight end who was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. He holds team records for touchdown catches by a tight end.
- Anthony Muñoz (1980–1992): Considered one of the best offensive linemen ever. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl 11 times in a row. He was the first Bengals player to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Note: Muñoz started in 1980, but his career spanned the 70s and 80s, so he's often associated with the 80s success.)
- Ken Riley (1969–1983): One of the best cornerbacks. He set the team record for career interceptions with 65.
- Lemar Parrish (1970–1977): An amazing cornerback and return specialist. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl eight times. He holds the Bengals' record for touchdowns scored by returns or recoveries.
Memorable Games from the 1970s
- December 17, 1972: The Bengals scored a team record 61 points against the Houston Oilers.
- December 16, 1973: The Bengals beat the Houston Oilers 27–24 to win their second division title.
- December 28, 1975: In Paul Brown's final game as head coach, the Bengals lost a close playoff game to the Oakland Raiders, 31–28.
- December 12, 1976: Defensive end Coy Bacon sacked the Jets' quarterback Joe Namath four times.
The 1980s: Two Super Bowl Appearances
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The 1980s were a very successful time for the Bengals. They reached the Super Bowl twice! Before the 1981 season, the Bengals changed their uniforms. They added orange and black tiger stripes to their jerseys, pants, and helmets. This new look became famous.
Famous Players from the 1980s
- Anthony Muñoz (1980–1992): As mentioned, he was a legendary offensive tackle. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl 11 times.
- Cris Collinsworth (1981–1988): A tall and talented wide receiver. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. He later became a well-known sports commentator.
- Boomer Esiason (1984–1992, 1997): The Bengals' star quarterback. He was known for his play-action passes. Boomer led the team to two division titles and one AFC Championship. He was the NFL MVP in 1988.
- James Brooks (1984–1991): A great running back who rushed for over 6,000 yards with the Bengals. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times.
- Ickey Woods (1988–1991): A popular fullback famous for his "Ickey Shuffle" touchdown dance. He had a great rookie season but his career was cut short by injuries.
- Jim Breech (1980–1992): The Bengals' placekicker for 13 seasons. He is the team's all-time leading scorer.
Memorable Games from the 1980s
- January 10, 1982: "The Freezer Bowl" The Bengals beat the San Diego Chargers 27–7 in the AFC Championship Game. This was the coldest game in NFL history, with a wind chill of -56 degrees Fahrenheit!
- Super Bowl XVI (January 24, 1982): The Bengals faced the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers took a big 20–0 lead at halftime. The Bengals fought back in the second half but lost 26–21.
- December 17, 1988: The Bengals beat the Washington Redskins in overtime to win their fifth division title. Quarterback Boomer Esiason finished the season as the NFL's top-rated passer.
- January 8, 1989: The Bengals beat the Buffalo Bills 21–10 to win their second AFC Championship.
- Super Bowl XXIII (January 22, 1989): The Bengals had a rematch with the 49ers. It was a close game, but the Bengals lost 20–16.
The 1990s: A Tough Decade
After the successful 1980s, the 1990s were a difficult time for the Bengals. The team struggled and often lost many games. Fans sometimes called them the "Bungles." This period was a long playoff drought that lasted until 2005.
Famous Players from the 1990s
- Carl Pickens (1992–1999) and Darnay Scott (1994–2001): These two wide receivers, along with quarterback Jeff Blake, brought excitement to the Bengals' offense. Pickens was fast and had great hands, while Scott was known for his speed.
- Corey Dillon (1997–2003): A very talented running back. He broke many team records, including most career rushing yards (8,061) and most rushing yards in one game (278).
- Takeo Spikes (1998–2002): A strong and emotional linebacker. He was a powerful force on defense.
Memorable Games from the 1990s
- October 7, 1990: Quarterback Boomer Esiason threw for a team record 490 yards in a win against the Los Angeles Rams.
- January 6, 1991: The Bengals beat the Houston Oilers 41–14 in a home playoff game.
- December 4, 1997: Running back Corey Dillon rushed for 246 yards, breaking an NFL rookie record.
- December 21, 1997: Boomer Esiason played his last NFL game. He threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to Darnay Scott.
The 2000s: Back to Being Important
In the 2000s, the Bengals started to become a competitive team again. They moved into their new home, Paul Brown Stadium, in 2000. The stadium was named after the team's founder.
Famous Players from the 2000s
- Carson Palmer (2003–2010): A Heisman Trophy winner who became the Bengals' star quarterback. He broke several team passing records.
- The Johnsons: This refers to Chad Johnson (wide receiver), Rudi Johnson (running back), and Jeremi Johnson (fullback). They were a key part of the Bengals' strong offense.
- Chad Johnson (2001–2010): A very popular and talented wide receiver. He broke many team receiving records and led the NFL in receiving yards in 2006.
- Rudi Johnson (2001–2007): A strong running back who broke team rushing records in consecutive years.
- T. J. Houshmandzadeh (2001–2008): Another dependable wide receiver who set the team record for receptions in a season in 2007.
- Willie Anderson (1996–2007): A great offensive tackle who started a team record number of consecutive games.
Memorable Games from the 2000s
- October 22, 2000: Running back Corey Dillon set an NFL single-game rushing record with 278 yards.
- September 24, 2005: The Bengals intercepted five passes in a game against the Bears. This was the second week in a row they had five interceptions, a rare feat!
- December 18, 2005: The Bengals won the AFC North title and made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
- January 8, 2006 (AFC Wild-Card Round): The Bengals hosted their first playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their star quarterback Carson Palmer was injured early in the game, and the Bengals lost 31–17.
2000–2005: A New Era
The Bengals started to improve under coach Marvin Lewis. In 2003, they drafted Carson Palmer, who became their starting quarterback in 2004. The team became known for its exciting offense.
2006–2009: Ups and Downs
After making the playoffs in 2005, the Bengals had some up-and-down seasons. In 2008, Carson Palmer was injured for the season. In 2009, the team won their division again. However, a sad event happened when player Chris Henry passed away. The team was deeply affected. They made the playoffs but lost to the New York Jets.
The 2010s: The Andy Dalton Era
Famous Players from the 2010s
- Andy Dalton (2011–2019): The Bengals' starting quarterback for most of the decade. He set many team records.
- A. J. Green (2011–2020): A superstar wide receiver drafted in 2011. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons.
- Vontaze Burfict (2012–2018): A very dominant linebacker known for his tough play.
- Giovani Bernard (2013–2020) and Jeremy Hill (2014–2017): A strong duo of running backs.
- Adam "Pacman" Jones (2010–2017): A talented cornerback and return specialist who became a key part of the defense.
2010–2014: Playoff Streaks Begin
In 2011, the Bengals drafted A. J. Green and named rookie quarterback Andy Dalton as their starter. They made the playoffs that year. The Bengals continued to make the playoffs for five straight seasons from 2011 to 2015. This was the first time they made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons without a strike. They won their division in 2013 and 2015. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs each time.
2015: Fifth Straight Playoff Appearance
The 2015 season started great with an 8–0 record. But quarterback Andy Dalton broke his thumb late in the season. The Bengals still finished 12–4 and won their division. In the playoffs, they faced the Steelers. The Bengals were set to win their first playoff game since the 1980s. But penalties late in the game helped the Steelers kick a game-winning field goal. The Bengals lost 18–16.
2016–2019: End of an Era and New Beginnings
The Bengals missed the playoffs in 2016 and 2017. After the 2018 season, coach Marvin Lewis and the Bengals decided to part ways. He had coached the team for many years. In 2019, Zac Taylor became the new head coach. The team had a tough season, finishing 2–14, which was one of the worst records in team history. This gave them the first pick in the next NFL Draft.
The 2020s: The Joe Burrow Era
2020: A New Quarterback Arrives
In 2020, the Bengals drafted Joe Burrow as their first overall pick. He was a highly anticipated quarterback from LSU. The team started the season with some close games. In Week 11, Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Bengals finished the season with a 4–11–1 record.
2021: A Super Bowl Run!
The 2021 season was amazing for the Bengals! They finished with a 10–7 record and won the AFC North division. They beat the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card round, which was their first playoff win since 1990! Then, they beat the top-seeded Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round.
In the AFC Championship, they had a rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals came back from a big 21–3 deficit to win 27–24 in overtime! This sent the Bengals to their first Super Bowl in 33 years. In Super Bowl LVI, they faced the Los Angeles Rams but lost a close game, 23–20. Joe Burrow was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after the season.
2022: Another Strong Season
After a slow start, the Bengals had a great 2022 season. They won 12 of their last 14 games and matched their best record ever at 12–4. They won the AFC North title for the second year in a row.
In the Wild Card round, they beat the Baltimore Ravens 24–17. A key play was a 98-yard touchdown by defensive end Sam Hubbard after a fumble. The next week, they beat the Buffalo Bills 27–10 in snowy conditions. This sent them to the AFC Championship Game for the second year in a row. They faced the Kansas City Chiefs again, but lost a very close game 23–20.
Early 2023
As of November 12th, 2023, the Cincinnati Bengals have 5 wins and 3 losses.
Images for kids
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Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, home of the Bengals.
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The Bengals playing against the 49ers in Super Bowl XVI.
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See also
- Cincinnati Bengals draft history
