The Cincinnati Bengals were founded in 1968 by coaching legend Paul Brown as part of the American Football League (AFL) before joining the NFL in the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. From their earliest days, the Bengals quickly established themselves as a competitive team, bringing professional football pride to the city of Cincinnati.
Today, the Bengals play their home games at Paycor Stadium (formerly Paul Brown Stadium) in Cincinnati, Ohio, as part of the AFC North division. The team’s colors are black, orange, and white, and their passionate fan base, known as “Who Dey Nation,” is one of the most recognizable in the NFL. The striped helmets, inspired by tiger markings, remain among the league’s most iconic designs.
The Bengals have reached the Super Bowl on multiple occasions, beginning with the 1981 and 1988 seasons under quarterback Ken Anderson and later Boomer Esiason. More recently, the franchise experienced a resurgence in the 2021 season, when quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase led the team to Super Bowl LVI. Although they fell just short to the Los Angeles Rams, the run reignited the team’s legacy and re-energized its fan base.
Over the years, stars like Anthony Muñoz, Chad Johnson (Ochocinco), and A.J. Green have left a lasting impact on the franchise. With a new generation of talent, the Bengals are now seen as one of the NFL’s rising powers.