Cincinnati. In the early 1970’s, it was full of excitement and promise with their sports teams. The Reds beginning to transfer to The Big Red Machine, and a new football team just starting out named the Cincinnati Bengals. Overall the Bengals haven’t had much success as a franchise in the NFL since they played their first game in 1968. They had some success in 1981 and 1988, when the Cincinnati Bengals made it to the Superbowl in both of these years, but unfortunately lost to the San Francisco 49ers both times. Three years later, in 1991, this franchise did something they haven’t been able to do in 31 years, they won a single playoff game. After this year, the Bengals had a massive success drought, only being able to win one playoff game in 31 years.
This all changed this year when the Bengals played the Las Vegas Raiders 26-19 in the Jan. 15 Wildcard Playoff Game. Not only were they able to snap their 31-year playoff win drought, but they were able to break their 34-year Super Bowl drought. That’s right — the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that includes McNicholas Class of 2005 grad Kevin Huber, are facing off against the Los Angeles Rams on February 13 in Super Bowl LVI. Led by Quarterback Joe Burrow and rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals overcame many of the top analysts who said they were a team far from success and still building.
To commemorate this historical year, The Milestone asked members of its community about their excitement surrounding this momentous year of football. In case you weren’t aware, Superbowl LVI will air live on NBC beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13.
Senior Cole Fithen plans to watch Sunday’s game “fully engaged” and “constantly reacting to the game,” while Director of Curriculum is planning to remind his Cleveland family often that the Bengals and not the Browns are in the Superbowl. “I will definitely be letting my relatives in Cleveland know who won the Super Bowl! I am related to too many Browns fans so I will be rubbing it into them!” Rosenbaum said.
Junior Vincent Hughes said he plans on “celebrating by screaming as loud as I can,” especially if the Bengals win the Superbowl.
Sharing Hughes’ excitement, freshman Ava Wille said, “I would like to see the Bengals win the Super bowl. I love watching both [baseball and football], but I find football more exciting, and also, I’ve always wanted to see a team from near us go [to the Superbowl], and hopefully this year is [the Bengals] year!”
Senior Katelyn Carter is excited for the Bengals to be going to the Superbowl as well but for different reasons. “My parents got together after a Bengals game. It is a huge part of why I am here, as stupid as that sounds. My mom has been in the hospital for a while, and this Bengals streak feels like a sign that she was meant to make it. It is really nice to see both of my parents rooting for them together.”
Comment below with how you’ll be “showing your stripes” during Superbowl LVI.
The McNicholas Milestone 