New Writer With Many Cincinnati Bengal Memories...

As a lifelong Cincinnati Bengals fan, I know this franchise better than most. 

My first memory of the Bengals comes from Herman Court (now Fred Raisk Arena) on the campus of Wilmington College. I am not certain what year it was, but the images are clear in my mind.

A big burly guy with huge thighs was sitting on a small brick wall signing autographs. It was early evening and some of the players were trickling out of the training facilities to make the short walk to the dorms that would be their sleeping quarters for the next four weeks. My brother quickly recognized the guy as Bill Bergy, the Bengals middle linebacker. I couldn't ask for a more pleasant guy to meet as my first professional athlete. He was almost like Santa Claus, laughing with the kids and signing anything they wanted.

As I stood there, a clean cut man tried to sneak out of the double doors without being noticed. His attempt was thwarted as soon as Bergy saw him. I remember hearing, "Hey everyone, there's Virgil Carter". Needless to say, Virgil was not happy as he picked up his pace and nearly ran to his dorm. Bergy laughed the whole time.

I went to quite a few practices over the years when they still trained in Wilmington. I remember seeing a lot of the players at our local fair and when I was old enough they would hang out at some of the local bars. Wilmington did not have nightclubs or gentlemen's clubs, so most of the players I saw were merely out to have a beer. Guys like Jim LeClair, Tim Krumrie, Kenny Anderson and Chris Collinsworth.

I spent four years in the Marines, but got out in 1988 just in time to enjoy their second Super Bowl run. I was fortunate enough to get a job with the local fire department as a firefighter/paramedic. On occasion, we would have to respond in the lifesquad to Bengals practices to take players to the local hospital. Usually heat related or breathing problems. Never leg or arm injuries. They didn't want us messing with those million dollar appendages. I did help transport Willy Anderson when he got overheated at his very first practice. Lucky for us, the 6'6", 340 lb. Anderson walked to the squad.

As Bengal fans, we have suffered so much over the years. Therefore, I hope to write interesting articles that focus on the present day Bengals. No need to bring up the past unless it's a pleasant memory. It's easy to write with great emotions when the topic is past Bengal blunders, so I want to try to to write good segments about the good things the Bengals will do this year and years to come.