The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They currently belong to the Northern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The Bengals began play in the American Football League as a 1968 expansion team, and joined the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL Merger.

In 1967 a Cincinnati-based ownership group led by Paul Brown was granted a franchise in the American Football League. He named the team the Bengals in order "to give it a link with past professional football in Cincinnati." [1] Another Bengals team existed in the city from 1937 to 1941, and played in various incarnations of older American Football Leagues. The city of Cincinnati's Zoo was famous for having the rare Bengal Tiger in captivity which was very uncommon in the United States during that time.

Brown had become a coaching legend in football by 1967. As head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1946 to 1962, Brown led his team to a .759 winning percentage and seven league championships. He became known as an innovator for his approach to training, game plans and other aspects of football. In a controversial move, Brown was fired by new Browns owner Art Modell following the 1962 season.

By 1965, Brown had made known his desire to become involved with professional football again. Working with son Mike, he met with Ohio governor James Rhodes and agreed that the state could handle a second football team. In 1966 the Cincinnati city council approved the construction of Riverfront Stadium, and the next year Brown's group had their franchise.

The similarities between the Bengals and Brown's old team were striking. Cleveland's team colors were orange, brown and white, and their helmets were solid orange with a white dorsal stripe over the crest. The Bengals' team colors were orange, black and white, and their helmets were a similar shade of orange, with the only variations being the word "Bengals" in block letters on either side of the helmet and no stripe on the helmet.

With the completion of the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the NFL's Browns were switched into the AFL-based American Football Conference and landed in the AFC Central, the same division as the Bengals. An instant rivalry was born, fueled initially by Paul Brown's rivalry with Modell.

For their inagural season they played at Nippert Stadium which is the current home of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. The team finished its first season with a 3-11 record, although one bright spot was running back Paul Robinson. Robinson rushed for 1,023 yards and was named the AFL Rookie of the Year.

Founder Paul Brown coached the team for its first three seasons, accumulating 15 wins and 27 losses and one tie. One of Brown’s college draft stategies was to draft players with above average intelligence. Punter/wide receiver Pat McInally attended Harvard and linebacker Reggie Williams attended Dartmouth College and served on Cincinnati city council while on the Bengals’ roster. Because of this policy, many former players were highly articulate and went on to have successful careers in commentary and broadcasting as well as the arts. In addition, Brown had a knack for locating and recognizing pro football talent in unusual places.

Game Notes

* September 6, 1968 - The Bengals play their first regular season game in San Diego, falling short to the Chargers 29-13.

* September 15, 1968 - The team wins its first regular season game in week two of the inaugural season, taming the Denver Broncos 24-10.

* November 17, 1968 - The first road victory as the Bengals upset the Miami Dolphins 38-21.

* December 20, 1970 - In the final game of its third season as a pro football franchise, the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Boston Patriots 45-7 to clinch the AFC Central division title. This is the first season after the NFL/AFL merger (which brought about the NFL as it is structured today), and the Bengals become the first AFC Central division champion.

* December 26, 1970 - In their first playoff appearance, the Bengals fall short 17-0 in Baltimore to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Colts.