What do Bengals mean to you? ‘I wish my dad were alive to see this.’
Note to Coach’s Box readers: This is a longer version of my Cincinnati Enquirer/Cincinnati.com column.
By Mike Bass
mbass@mikebasscoaching.com
This is all about you.
You are a Bengals fan. Your team is heading to the Super Bowl. It is five days after the AFC Championship Game. I ask you this on Twitter, with zero context:
“What has this season meant to you, and how has it affected your life?”
Here are excerpts of your responses. (Oh, and if people ever ask why you love your team, let them read this.)
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@velochic13: “One of my favorite memories is watching games with my Mom. Die hard fan. Attended both SB's in 80's. She is now dealing with memory issues. She and my brother are coming to Cincinnati so we can watch as a family. I'm ecstatic that we'll get to share at least one more SB together.”
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@Levi45Keller: “This season has been an AMaZING bonding experience for me and my dad we traditionally watch every game together every year but this year was the first we could jump, cheer, and rejoice !!!”
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@Eversole_23: Means the world to all of us, I’m sure. But for me.. I’ll never forget my dad, screaming at the tv in 88’. It meant so much to watch the games with my dad as a kid. And it’s means so much more to be able to be the one buying our tickets now and take him to the games!”
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@Spahr04: “Made me realize sometimes it’s worth the wait. Been a bengals fan all of my life. Never watched them win a playoff game before this year. Always the laughing stock of the nfl. Bought season tickets this year so I could spend time with my boys. Been a dream come true.”
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@dlights44: “It's actually not about what it's meant to me as much as what it's meant to my family. I'm old enough to have watched Ken and Boomer lead us to super bowls. My boys 25,22 and 16 have never seen a playoff win. Only heartbreak and agony. Now it's tears of joy.”
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@anayaoz1: “Season 2020 was the one where my wife finally accepted to watch her first NFL game, mostly watch Joe B 🤣 but Bengals soon became our Family Team, this season all family became consistent @Bengals and @NFL Fans. Love to share this passion with her and kids!”
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@Crazywalt1978: “Has been an awesome ride. The excitement has had me feeling like a kid at times. Today my 20 year old Daughter Zenya came over to write the menu for our Super Bowl party. Has been nice knowing she wants to share this time with me.”
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@Superredlegman: “It had helped create some unforgettable memories with family and friends. Screams, astonishment, bear hugs, cheers, tears. Quite a ride.”
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@WhoDey311: “My wife & I made a baby week 1 in Cincy LOL my first trip there ever. Now she’s 22 wks pregnant & we’re going to find out the gender of our next child (in a few days). Having a baby born during the Bengals SB season?? Pretty cool.”
@gameonjmoney: Right there with you brother 🔥🔥 May 3rd 💙 💙”
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@KCOutsider: “I’ll be a grandparent probably by the end of training camp. My son, also being a huge Bengals fan, has a Bengals-themed name all set if it’s a boy.”
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@GoBucks1975: “My mom passed away in October, this playoff run has meant the world to me, she knew how much sports meant to me, and it’s seemed like every game she was right there with me.”
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@InkedDad83: “It’s meant everything to me, it’s honestly helped me get through my moms passing. She passed Jan 30, 2021…the Bengals was the BIG thing we shared. She was with me in the stands in Arrowhead when we won the AFC and now my bond with the team means more!”
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@Asgardianhero: “My father and cousin passed away in November. I was very distraught. Bengal season has helped thru some dark days. I wish my dad were alive to see this incredible season.”
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@MatthewBausch78: “This season has meant the world to me! For 31 years I went to games with my Dad until he passed 4 years ago. These past four years, games were more than just a game. They were my way of remembering all of the times we had together. I know he's up there celebrating!”
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@WillItG: “So, my brothers and I shared the love of Bengals and Reds. Almost 10yrs ago, one brother passed away. This season.... I cannot even put into words... just makes me miss him that much more for missing the sports bond.”
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@CincyTron: “I can’t help reminiscing about my [our] past. The good and the bad. I’ve always said, these bad times are gonna make the great times all the sweeter. The excitement is invigorating. I wish my dad were here to experience it though.”
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@lostyodamnmind: “Game after game, year after year, same disappointing results. And now this?!? Holy shit. It means so much to see these guys explode. Especially when you've been recovering from brain surgery during playoffs. Never not rockin' the (Bengals) swag though.”
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@JayBennington: “After 17 years in the Marine Corps & exposing my family to PTSD I had to do a LOT of hard work over a long time, & after all the trauma, I’m on the other side, not done though. The @Bengals are a metaphor for me. The moment/season is a gift I almost wasn’t here for. ♥️🧘♂️🤙 I have to specifically mention an Ohio based PTS organization for vets & 1st responders that helped me get here, or more accurately they carried me to a point where I could walk on my own to right now. @saveawarrior thank you for showing me I deserved this. I’m worth it #WhoDey.”
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@Bengalsmanic: “This season has meant so much to me as a Bengals fan and a Deaf fan. The team growing and overcoming adversity.. and seeing Bengals use captions more this year. I feel connected more than ever and it happens to be their Super Bowl year 🥰🧡.”
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@BengalsBabyYoda: “I wanted the Cincinnati Bengals to be something like the Statue of Liberty, of sorts, bc they have even included the deaf community--and doesn't matter if you're Christian, Jewish or Muslim if you want to Who Dey. I think that the Bengals can do that if they become America's team.”
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@erictho12632689: “If someone who lives with a disability I kind of see myself a little in this Bengals team because they've had to fight for every little scrap they've gotten nothing's been given to them and no matter what the situation they just keep fighting for each other. Always keep fighting.”
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@bridgetjancarz: “It’s been a hard 2 years. This season and this team united us as a community, brought us infinite joy, and reminded us why the Queen City bleeds orange and black. Many of us are diehards regardless, but this season helped us bring others along to #believe.”
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@GreenbbsERdoc: “I’ve long been tortured as a native Cincinnatian and lifelong fan. As a healthcare worker [and a now remote Cincinnatian], the past 2 years of the pandemic has been brutal. Just having this season has really been an amazing distraction from the day to day grind.”
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@BrittRN4: “This may sound cliche and dramatic but I feel like it’s brought hope to the city of Cincinnati. During a time of such uncertainty and division, our city has something to unite around and be excited about. Something positive in a world that is filled with negativity. It’s awesome!”
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@thewhobae: “I think a lot of people [but mostly speaking for myself here] have struggled in life. We work hard we try to do the right things & sometimes the breaks just don't go our way. But then sometimes they do. It turns around. I see myself reflected in Zac Taylor and this Bengals team. It makes me believe no dream is out of reach.”
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@JJStreezy: “I’ve been through my share of adversity and it’s hard to stay positive and believe that better days are ahead. You’re doing everything you can today yet success seems so distant. This team reminds me success can be right around the corner when you stay the course and battle thru!”
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@chrisapatterson: “Honestly it’s restored my faith in humanity a bit. Things have seemed so divided, but one thing bringing this area together is this teams. After the KC and Raiders games I probably hugged, chest bumped, high fived 2,000 strangers! It’s been a lot of fun.”
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@bengals_girl: “We are so lucky to be a part of this great comeback story. It couldn’t be scripted any better if it were a movie a la Rocky. It’s exhilarating! Seeing how this has united and electrified Cincinnati gives me such joy. It’s made me love this town even more!”
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@gameonjmoney: “This season has been a dream come true for Bengals fans! Now in Cincy everyone greets each other with a WHO DEY to begin or end a convo. All the pain and feeling of despair gone in an instant.”
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@HulettMax: “It’s legit meant everything. Been my whole life since this happened. Never had seen a playoff win let alone super bowl run. It’s made me spend way to much on bengals gear as well!”
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@WhodeyMichael: “Before the season I bet 50€ on the bengals winning the SB. Got laughed at and they said you can hand me the money right now if you want to throw it away. But it's not about the money. This year's football is fun. I'd love to see them in PBS one day 🧡 And believe me. Going to work to the early shift on 4:30am felt soooo much better after the Playoff games off the bengals. My wife sees that I'm all around happier. And my son wants to try on my 3xl Jerseys. He's 3 years old. What a time to be alive.”
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@lauracain32: “Everything 😭 after getting laughed at for numerous years for being a fan this feels good!”
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@mickals43: “I have waited 33years for this to happen and through all the pain,heartaches,let downs, I have never gave up faith in this team. I've cheered been upset to the point of years, but never wavered I am true blood Cincinnatian and bleed orange and black.”
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@Kingkrab859: “This season has made me so damn emotional, I absolutely love this team and have for 33 years this superbowl means everything.”
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@bsqtball: “I’ve been a Bengals fan for 29 years.. This is the most amazing sports feeling I’ve ever had in my life.. witnessed Lakers win chips for yrs.. the Bucks last yr was particularly awesome 😎..but NOTHING has come anywhere close to this feeling.”
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@WhoDey219: “This season has meant the world. All the years of let down while living in ohio + all the years of being clowned on for being a Bengals fan outside of ohio. This season feels amazing. I have 30+ people rooting for the Bengals this year just because I'm a fan and they love me.”
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@Cass_Cinnati: “This season has honestly meant the world to me. I feel like I’m living in a dream and it’s a feeling I’ve never felt before. To say at 26, I can see my team go to the Super Bowl is the coolest thing ever 🧡 This team and organization has an amazing energy to it.”
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@mrsleigh102205: “I've always been proud to be a born and raised Cincinnatian, as well as a ride or die Bengals fan (even though it hasn't always been easy). My heart is overflowing these days, and it brings me so much joy to bring others on this wild ride.”
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@BengalsCaptain: “I see a QB with a chip on his shoulder, a guy who understands Ohio. I see a rookie WR that's been doubted his whole life. I see a HC that rebuilt the hard way, with character and leadership, but almost ran out of time. Redemption--for us all.”
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@AndrewH40891866: “I was 12 when Boomer and Ickey took us to the Super Bowl. Absolutely fantastic team! It was an up and down year till the end when these guys knuckled down and took what was theirs. I'm sooo proud of this team! They will be a part of Bengal lore FOREVER!”
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@CincyFanatic25: I'd held out hope that things could change for the better. Believing one year the Bengals or Reds would turn it around and all the struggles and the losing would one day be worth it. Thankful the day has come.”
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@whodeynorth: “It has literally taught me the real power of positive thinking & believing— genuinely believing. It’s not over until it is over— and IT IS US.”
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You can email Mike Bass at mbass@mikebasscoaching.com, or you can reach on on Twitter @SportsFanCoach1.