OVER-THE-RHINE, Ohio ‒ The tradition of gifting postseason game balls to Cincinnati businesses continues.
After beating the Buffalo Bills 27-10 in the second round of the playoffs at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor stopped by Rhinehaus in Over-the-Rhine to deliver the latest winning game ball.
Taylor was greeted by an enthusiastic, "Who Dey"-chanting crowd at Rhinehaus when he arrived with the prize around midnight.
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"We had a great day in Buffalo and we can feel your support now that we're back in Cincinnati," the coach said to the crowd.
Taylor told fans to get ready to gather for another win next week against the Kansas City Chiefs, and said the Bengals will be "back-to-back AFC champs."
"Whatever you're wearing right now, same bar, next Sunday!" he said before leaving. "Appreciate you all."
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The Bengals' game ball will remain on display at the bar until after the season, and will then go home with one of the bartenders, Rhinehaus owner Aaron Kohlhepp said. Bartender Danny Samet told The Enquirer that the staff has been trying to get a game ball delivered to Rhinehaus for a long time.
"We feel like everything's kismet this postseason," he said. "We're here for all of it."
Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt and safety Jessie Bates III delivered a postseason game ball to Gypsy's Mainstrasse in Covington early Monday morning, according to a spokesperson for the team. Offensive lineman Ted Karras and guard Cordell Volson also gifted a game ball to Oak Tavern in Oakley.
The newfound tradition started last year, after the Bengals' first postseason win in 31 years, when they defeated the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card round. Since then, 18 bars and restaurants have received game balls.
Last weekend, the Blind Pig in Downtown, Crowley’s Irish Pub in Mt. Adams and Clutch OTR in Over-the-Rhine received game balls following the Bengals’ 24-17 wild-card win against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Bengals play the Chiefs for the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium Jan. 29.
Senior photographer Kareem Elgazzar contributed to this report.
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