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#40 Never Forget
City hopes Bengals stop being laughingstock
By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer
September 5, 2003
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The riot scars are healing, a building boom is remaking downtown and a city stung by political and racial turmoil is trying to portray itself as an up-and-coming community.
If only it could do something about that dreadful football team.
For a dozen year, the city's image has been linked to its bumbling Bengals. No NFL team has lost more games since 1991 or earned more punch lines on national television.
The Bengals lose, the nation laughs, the locals cringe.
``One rule I was taught was never to lose your sense of humor,'' said city council member Chris Monzel, whose family has season tickets. ``At the same time, you don't want to be the butt of jokes nationally and internationally. We're trying our hardest to get away from that.''
They've tried and failed during one of the longest streaks of futility in NFL history. Last year, the Bengals went a league-worst 2-14 and became a fixture of late-night monologues.
``Tonight Show'' host Jay Leno didn't need a rim shot to make his audiences laugh.
``People do tend to believe what they see and hear in the media,'' said Raymond Buse, spokesman for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. ``If a city is linked to a losing reputation, it tends to wear on people's psyches.
``But Cincinnati has a new energy. We believe we're on the verge of something really terrific and great for our city. We'd like nothing more than to invite Jay Leno to Cincinnati when the Bengals prove they are competitive.''
When will that be? This weekend, they hope.
The chamber of commerce and a downtown business organization held a pep rally downtown Friday to stir interest in a team that hadn't yet sold out its season opener Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Much of the hope rest with first-year coach Marvin Lewis, an outsider brought in to restore the franchise. Lewis persuaded ownership to make major changes, and promised the community a team worth supporting.
Lewis, who coordinated the defense that won Baltimore a Super Bowl championship in the 2000 season, recognizes that teams play a major role in shaping a city's image.
``I think it's real important,'' Lewis said. ``It raises the self-esteem. I think people around the country would say when a team wins a championship, everybody feels better, from the people who are disadvantaged to the people who have things pretty well.''
Bengals players know the flip side. When they lose week after week, they might as well not even think of going out in public or turning on the television. Ridicule awaits.
``You would like to think that in the grand scheme of things it's just football, but people take pride in their football, especially in Ohio,'' quarterback Jon Kitna said. ``This is a football state.''
In the past seven months, Lewis has talked to dozens of organizations, spreading a message that things are changing. He has made inroads with the city's power base.
``He's not just a football coach. He's a smart businessman,'' said Buse, whose father and uncle were on the team's board of directors until the late 1980s. ``He has done many things to reach out to the business community and the community and large.
``That kind of leadership is reflected in the community. On Sunday, we hope it's reflected on the football field.''
Plenty of skeptics remain. During a nationally televised show before the opener Thursday night between Washington and New York, Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath mused that every team is hopeful in September.
``Everyone's optimistic this time of year,'' Namath said, with a mischievous grin. ``Even the Bengals are optimistic at this time of the year.''
They are.
``We're looking forward to the day when Jay Leno eats his words,'' Buse said.
By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer
September 5, 2003
CINCINNATI (AP) -- The riot scars are healing, a building boom is remaking downtown and a city stung by political and racial turmoil is trying to portray itself as an up-and-coming community.
If only it could do something about that dreadful football team.
For a dozen year, the city's image has been linked to its bumbling Bengals. No NFL team has lost more games since 1991 or earned more punch lines on national television.
The Bengals lose, the nation laughs, the locals cringe.
``One rule I was taught was never to lose your sense of humor,'' said city council member Chris Monzel, whose family has season tickets. ``At the same time, you don't want to be the butt of jokes nationally and internationally. We're trying our hardest to get away from that.''
They've tried and failed during one of the longest streaks of futility in NFL history. Last year, the Bengals went a league-worst 2-14 and became a fixture of late-night monologues.
``Tonight Show'' host Jay Leno didn't need a rim shot to make his audiences laugh.
``People do tend to believe what they see and hear in the media,'' said Raymond Buse, spokesman for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. ``If a city is linked to a losing reputation, it tends to wear on people's psyches.
``But Cincinnati has a new energy. We believe we're on the verge of something really terrific and great for our city. We'd like nothing more than to invite Jay Leno to Cincinnati when the Bengals prove they are competitive.''
When will that be? This weekend, they hope.
The chamber of commerce and a downtown business organization held a pep rally downtown Friday to stir interest in a team that hadn't yet sold out its season opener Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Much of the hope rest with first-year coach Marvin Lewis, an outsider brought in to restore the franchise. Lewis persuaded ownership to make major changes, and promised the community a team worth supporting.
Lewis, who coordinated the defense that won Baltimore a Super Bowl championship in the 2000 season, recognizes that teams play a major role in shaping a city's image.
``I think it's real important,'' Lewis said. ``It raises the self-esteem. I think people around the country would say when a team wins a championship, everybody feels better, from the people who are disadvantaged to the people who have things pretty well.''
Bengals players know the flip side. When they lose week after week, they might as well not even think of going out in public or turning on the television. Ridicule awaits.
``You would like to think that in the grand scheme of things it's just football, but people take pride in their football, especially in Ohio,'' quarterback Jon Kitna said. ``This is a football state.''
In the past seven months, Lewis has talked to dozens of organizations, spreading a message that things are changing. He has made inroads with the city's power base.
``He's not just a football coach. He's a smart businessman,'' said Buse, whose father and uncle were on the team's board of directors until the late 1980s. ``He has done many things to reach out to the business community and the community and large.
``That kind of leadership is reflected in the community. On Sunday, we hope it's reflected on the football field.''
Plenty of skeptics remain. During a nationally televised show before the opener Thursday night between Washington and New York, Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath mused that every team is hopeful in September.
``Everyone's optimistic this time of year,'' Namath said, with a mischievous grin. ``Even the Bengals are optimistic at this time of the year.''
They are.
``We're looking forward to the day when Jay Leno eats his words,'' Buse said.
