This is what I said to my husband in the middle of last night’s Super Bowl extravaganza. I laughed as I said it. I laughed as soon as the thought popped into my head, being a sort of ridiculous thought to have, even if it is the absolute truth. In January 2022 as the Bengals were preparing for the first Super Bowl appearance since 1989, I was, to say the least, hyped. My grandfather had bought season tickets way back in 1968 when Paul Brown and the Bengals first started their franchise in Cincinnati. For a good chunk of my late twenties, I spent a lot of Sunday’s with my dad at Paul Brown Stadium. We were often too hot or too cold or too wet. For some of those early games, it felt like Dad and I were the only people in the stadium. More often than not, the game for us ended when Dad became too disgusted with the team and we went home.
Both. And also because I feel like you made fewer remarks about my baseball affiliation before 2016. Maybe if the Bengals had one your anger would subside a bit. 😂
I totally get this. I grew up going to Chiefs games with my dad, uncle and grandfather, when the Chiefs were terrible. For decades. Losing seasons, never in the playoffs, the only thing we had to look forward to was the rivalry with the Raiders. A little different now, and a lot of young fans now don’t remember how it was. But I can certainly wish for you at the Bengals had won in 22 and it had sparked you to fame. Unfortunately wishing to change the past doesn’t have much effect.
Awesome, baby! I was an early Bengals fan, living in Cincinnati in 1968/69. Somehow, my deranged or disarranged brain remembers being in the audience in Louisville for the spectacular Tony Bennett when I think the Bengals were playing the 49ers. He was obviously uncomfortable because he wanted to be watching the game because he left his heart in San Francisco. I don’t care. I still love Tony Bennett more than life. ❤️
I wish they had won, too.
Both. And also because I feel like you made fewer remarks about my baseball affiliation before 2016. Maybe if the Bengals had one your anger would subside a bit. 😂
I totally get this. I grew up going to Chiefs games with my dad, uncle and grandfather, when the Chiefs were terrible. For decades. Losing seasons, never in the playoffs, the only thing we had to look forward to was the rivalry with the Raiders. A little different now, and a lot of young fans now don’t remember how it was. But I can certainly wish for you at the Bengals had won in 22 and it had sparked you to fame. Unfortunately wishing to change the past doesn’t have much effect.
and we don't even have a Target you can go to...
Well, dang. Great essay, though.
Awesome, baby! I was an early Bengals fan, living in Cincinnati in 1968/69. Somehow, my deranged or disarranged brain remembers being in the audience in Louisville for the spectacular Tony Bennett when I think the Bengals were playing the 49ers. He was obviously uncomfortable because he wanted to be watching the game because he left his heart in San Francisco. I don’t care. I still love Tony Bennett more than life. ❤️
Alas, I know all too well!