I wear it once again.

I like to consider myself as a highly blessed and fortunate man.

Then again, I have been a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals my entire life.

I feel like I’ve been through the ringer (what a great website) with this organization. I would say I’ve been through the ups and downs with this team but where can I find the ups in recent memory? I held witness to the Jeremy Hill fumble, to the wasted talents of A.J. Green, Geno Atkins, ownership shortcomings, etc. I know I should find more things to be disappointed in with the Cincinnati Bengals, but if I am being completely honest with you, for the previous five seasons I’ve almost completely checked out. I know- shameful behavior as a “fan.” But the team seemed just as checked out and equally disinterested in winning as I did watching them lose.

And then the Bengals drafted Athens, Ohio native Joseph Lee Burrow. That same draft night, I purchased a Mitchell & Ness Cincinnati Bengals sweatshirt. It’s a black crewneck with orange lettering, white outline, and a little bit of cracking on the screen printed letters- just how I like it. After picking Burrow, there was a glimmer of light in the dark black hole known as Cincinnati football- a town where football dreams remained only dreams. I wore my sweatshirt with a sense of hope that one day we will get out of that hole. For the first time in a long time, as it pertained to the Bengals, I was excited.

But excitement doesn’t win football games (duh.) Even with the buzz of Burrow and his unlimited potential, the Bengals struggled heavily on both sides of the ball, and eventually, Burrow had a devastating season ending knee injury. The Bengals, as they had many seasons before, had disappointed. I put my sweatshirt out of commission for the rest of the year. I couldn’t even think about Burrow and the Bengals without being emotionally drained. And if I can be completely honest with you, I checked out once Burrow got injured, because if Burrow couldn’t win games at QB, could anyone in Cincinnati?

Coming into the recent off-season, there were many questions: could Burrow still be the guy after a terrible injury? Could an offensive line be formed to protect their golden goose quarterback? Could a competent defense be built? Could they win meaningful games????

They were able to answer most of those questions this season (I don’t think I need to point out the one they didn’t answer.) Joe Burrow is our guy. Our outside weapons in Chase, Higgins, and Boyd are incredibly legit and lethal. Mixon is a beast. Our defense was…GOOD. Needless to say, they exceeded expectations and then some.

This team was fun, electric, but also frustrating, and all the negative things you feel during a long season. And somehow, someway, this team was a Super Bowl team. And they came up just a few plays and penalties short.

The Bengals lost in the Super Bowl. That’s such a crazy sentence to read aloud after years and years of failure. THE BENGALS MADE IT TO A SUPER BOWL EVERYONE. BENGALS. IN THE SUPER BOWL. WOW! Obviously, I wanted them to win and have eternal glory and for Joe Shiesty to be called Joey Super Bowl and yada yada yada. I understand. I am disappointed.

But at this very moment, there is much more optimism in my heart than disappointment.

For the first time in a very long time, I am excited about watching the Bengals next season. Cincinnati is now a town where football dreams are, even in a stacked AFC, reasonably within reach. Cincinnati can win. And they can win it all. Today, I feel fortunate to be a Bengals fan because I have hope- for the organization, the city, the loyal fans, the future.

I’ve sat in the black hole. I’ve worn the sweatshirt. I see the light. I wear it once again.