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Apr. 14—Dayton natives and twin brothers Jeff and Steve Nagel had a chance to go to the NFL Draft two years ago in Detroit as part of the Cincinnati Bengals' "Inner Circle" representatives, but had to decline the invitation because of a schedule conflict.
After learning later what a unique opportunity they missed out on, Jeff said he and his brother wished they had made it work.
Now, the lifelong Bengals fans have another chance, and they are taking it. The Bengals selected Jeff and Steve, widely known as the "Bengals Twins," to represent the franchise in the exclusive "Inner Circle" at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 23-25.
The "Inner Circle," which only takes place the first two days of the draft but also includes activities April 22, is one of the most prestigious honors for NFL superfans, with only seven primary fans, plus a guest, selected from each of the 32 teams' fan bases annually. For the Nagel brothers, this selection is the culmination of a 44-year journey as season ticket holders.
"I don't think our feet have hit the ground," Steve Nagel said. "We're so excited."
Jeff Nagel had made a routine call to his season ticket representative, Mary, and that's when he was asked about attending the draft. He was surprised by the offer and had to check schedules with work and Steve, but it was an easy decision this time, he said.
The twins have been going to Bengals games since they were young kids, originally taking an interest after seeing their since-deceased Uncle Ron Nagel and Aunt Wilma ("Willie"), always going to training camp practices and games as season ticket holders. Steve said they saw how much fun their uncle and aunt were having and started following the team as well.
When Ron Nagel passed away unexpectedly and Wilma's health declined, the season tickets got passed along to Jeff and Steve, who are now 59 years old. Their dedication to the Bengals played a role in their invitation into the "Inner Circle," Steve said.
"They select superfans, and Jeff and I have had season tickets for 44 years, so I believe that was one of the reasons," Steve said. "And we do support a lot of the players off the field at their foundation events and help raise money for their events because we believe it's not just what they do on the field but also what they do off the field that makes them great people."
The season tickets they inherited were in seats three rows from the top of the old Riverfront Stadium. When Paul Brown Stadium, now named Paycor Stadium, opened, the Nagel brothers were able to obtain better seats through a lottery and seat license process, and they now sit six rows from the field, near the tunnel where players come onto the field.
"The NFL gods were with us," Steve said. "We call it our Bengal family, and our real family gets annoyed by that, I think, but our Uncle Ron has to be smiling down and happy we carried on that tradition. He would love that we get to go to the 'Inner Circle.'"
Jeff, a chef for Kettering Health, is in charge of the tailgate and is known not only for making great food but also for coming up with creative names for the items on his menu.
There's "If it's brown, flush it down" Goulash served when the Bengals host the Cleveland Browns, and Joe Burrow Touchdown-Passing Chicken Pot Pie, among other things. The twins and other family members and friends who attend games always make a big event of it in Lot E across from the stadium.
"It's a big family thing," Jeff said. "It's always great to go down with family and tailgate and all of that."
The twins will make a big event of the "Inner Circle." They are hoping to be able to attend a "Q&A" with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as part of the experience, and they'll have an up-close view of all the draft picks coming onto the stage.
Steve said he's hoping the Bengals select a safety or edge rusher in the first round, but Jeff is good with any pick that helps the defense.
"We're checking off things on our bucket list, and we always wanted to go to the draft, so this is one of them," Steve said. "It was never in our wildest dreams to be able to go like this."
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After learning later what a unique opportunity they missed out on, Jeff said he and his brother wished they had made it work.
Now, the lifelong Bengals fans have another chance, and they are taking it. The Bengals selected Jeff and Steve, widely known as the "Bengals Twins," to represent the franchise in the exclusive "Inner Circle" at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 23-25.
The "Inner Circle," which only takes place the first two days of the draft but also includes activities April 22, is one of the most prestigious honors for NFL superfans, with only seven primary fans, plus a guest, selected from each of the 32 teams' fan bases annually. For the Nagel brothers, this selection is the culmination of a 44-year journey as season ticket holders.
"I don't think our feet have hit the ground," Steve Nagel said. "We're so excited."
Jeff Nagel had made a routine call to his season ticket representative, Mary, and that's when he was asked about attending the draft. He was surprised by the offer and had to check schedules with work and Steve, but it was an easy decision this time, he said.
The twins have been going to Bengals games since they were young kids, originally taking an interest after seeing their since-deceased Uncle Ron Nagel and Aunt Wilma ("Willie"), always going to training camp practices and games as season ticket holders. Steve said they saw how much fun their uncle and aunt were having and started following the team as well.
When Ron Nagel passed away unexpectedly and Wilma's health declined, the season tickets got passed along to Jeff and Steve, who are now 59 years old. Their dedication to the Bengals played a role in their invitation into the "Inner Circle," Steve said.
"They select superfans, and Jeff and I have had season tickets for 44 years, so I believe that was one of the reasons," Steve said. "And we do support a lot of the players off the field at their foundation events and help raise money for their events because we believe it's not just what they do on the field but also what they do off the field that makes them great people."
The season tickets they inherited were in seats three rows from the top of the old Riverfront Stadium. When Paul Brown Stadium, now named Paycor Stadium, opened, the Nagel brothers were able to obtain better seats through a lottery and seat license process, and they now sit six rows from the field, near the tunnel where players come onto the field.
"The NFL gods were with us," Steve said. "We call it our Bengal family, and our real family gets annoyed by that, I think, but our Uncle Ron has to be smiling down and happy we carried on that tradition. He would love that we get to go to the 'Inner Circle.'"
Jeff, a chef for Kettering Health, is in charge of the tailgate and is known not only for making great food but also for coming up with creative names for the items on his menu.
There's "If it's brown, flush it down" Goulash served when the Bengals host the Cleveland Browns, and Joe Burrow Touchdown-Passing Chicken Pot Pie, among other things. The twins and other family members and friends who attend games always make a big event of it in Lot E across from the stadium.
"It's a big family thing," Jeff said. "It's always great to go down with family and tailgate and all of that."
The twins will make a big event of the "Inner Circle." They are hoping to be able to attend a "Q&A" with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as part of the experience, and they'll have an up-close view of all the draft picks coming onto the stage.
Steve said he's hoping the Bengals select a safety or edge rusher in the first round, but Jeff is good with any pick that helps the defense.
"We're checking off things on our bucket list, and we always wanted to go to the draft, so this is one of them," Steve said. "It was never in our wildest dreams to be able to go like this."
Continue reading...
