Paul Brown and the Cincinnati Bengals began play in the 1968 season. The franchise has been in existence for more than 50 years – and finally there will be a Ring of Honor to recognize former players, coaches and individuals who have played a significant role in the franchise’s history.The Bengals on Thursday announced the formation of a Ring of Honor that is planned to be displayed on the east façade inside Paul Brown Stadium.A plethora of past and present players and fans have been yearning for the organization to assemble a Ring of Honor. Those who have advocated for a Ring of Honor for years will get their wish in the franchise’s 54th season.Bengals top 100:Best players in the NFL franchise's historyBengals Xtra:Who could the Cincinnati Bengals put in their Ring of Honor?Why now?Bengals director of strategy and engagement Elizabeth Blackburn believes 2021 is the ideal year for the establishment of a Ring of Honor. Cincinnati and the country see light at the end of a pandemic tunnel and there is an emphasis of coming together as a society.A Ring of Honor is an action to help bring people together and simultaneously help increase fan engagement.“(The year) 2020 was a unique year. Engagement with our fans, engagement with the Bengals community and engagement with the Cincinnati community really is more important than ever,” Blackburn said. “We just went through a year where people were isolated and on their own in quarantine and such. We’re really bullish and excited about 2021, coming out of 2020. We are placing even more emphasis on engagement and strengthening community.”Blackburn revealed that the formation of a Ring of Honor was 12 to 14 months in the making. Last summer the discussions started heating up. A major roadblock in the process was high-level decision makers, including owner Mike Brown, desired individuals inducted get their do justice and celebrated in an appropriate way, rather than just limiting their recognition to a name on a façade inside Paul Brown Stadium.For months, the Bengals executive staff formulated a plan that would celebrate Ring of Honor members in what they believe is an innovative way. They want to tell the stories of all the members honored in unique and appropriate fashion. Their plan is to incorporate videos, photos and other content elements in addition to immortalizing the individual in the Ring of Honor.“We now have the ability that we never had to do a Ring of Honor in what we think is an innovative way that will display the names in the bowl. But we are pairing that in an archive of video and photos and stories to truly tell the full story of the individuals both inducted into the Ring of Honor and the individuals who will be on a ballot,” Blackburn explained.The Bengals founder, Brown, and Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz are the first two members of the franchise’s inaugural Ring of Honor class.Brown is recognized as one of the greatest innovators in pro football history. He served as the team’s first head coach and general manager in addition to being the founder and owner. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.Muñoz was an 11-time Pro Bowler and received the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1991. Many consider him one of the best left tackles ever. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 in his first year of eligibility. He is the lone Bengals player in Canton.The former Bengals tackle told the media on Thursday that he’s humbled by the honor.“It’s exciting and I’m very thankful. At the same time as a former player, I know I’m going to have former teammates with me the way it should be in Canton,” Muñoz said. “I think the Ring of Honor is exciting. I think it’s a time to celebrate guys that played for this organization even before I got here, while I was here and even after. I think it’s a great celebration, not only for the guys but for the organization and the city.”Two other members of the organization will soon join Brown and Muñoz as part of the franchise’s inaugural class. Season ticket members and suite owners will select the remaining two members from a ballot that will be released in May.Former cornerback Ken Riley and former quarterback Ken Anderson are the two favorites to be added to the inaugural Ring of Honor class. Although, there will be more former players, coaches and individuals honored in the years ahead.The Ring of Honor will be a recurring tradition. A tradition that will officially commence in 2021. Source link
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