Reflections of a Bengal Fan on the Super Bowl

One of the things I liked about moving to Cincinnati was I could still hate the Steelers.
I hate how they win year after year.
But I have to respect them. If they can do it, is it really that hard? It must be because no one else seems to be able to do it.
It starts at the top and requires lazer like focus, day after day, month after month, year after year.
That kind of intensity doesn’t come easy.
But losing does.
Oh, and Myrtle Beach has a Steelers bar also, but no Browns or Bengals bar.

…and the points you make are right on. As time expired last night, I stepped on to my friends back porch (he lives on a hill that overlooks the South Hills of Pittsburgh) and the roar of the fans was loud and constant for a solid hour if not longer. It was honestly awe inspiring. People were spilling out of their houses and bars into the streets, fireworks going off, everyone giving high fives—It is impossible to put into words the outpouring of support. Pittsburgh has managed to create a culture of winning and high expectations—it exists in their fanbase, in the cluhouse, and in the front office. And as much as I would have preferred to hear the roar of Bengals fans—yes, it is very worthy of respect and even admiration.

I can assure you, there is no Bengals bar in Pittsburgh. The closest thing is in my living room.

Great comments.

Keep them coming.

During my time in Texas (and, arguably, during my time now in the heart of Titan-ville), I really could have used a place to flex my fan-dom. I can identify with you, Mike…I used to call myself The Only Bengals Fan In Texas!

So what all would there BE in a Bengals Bar? Cincinnati Chili (can we say the name here?) and several different Cincinnati beers would be a given, as well as portraits of the cast of WKRP in Cincinnati (haha…no, really…I have two reruns waiting for me on my DVR right now!)…but what else would there be?

Pete Rose and Big O pictures. Graeters ice cream. Signed picture from former mayor Jerry Springer. Bengals mug shots. I will donate my signed Odell Thurman helmet.

..but one thing I have been doing is making Cincinnati Chili Dip and bringing it to football (Steeler) parties—we also got a rousing game of cornhole going (I don’t know if that is truly a Bengals thing, but it seems quite popular in Cincy) soon I will have them chanting Who Dey.

But as far as the bar goes—Cincy Chili is a good idea (I make it for my church fundraiser—very popular), I like the Graeters (my girlfriend, a lifelong Pittsburgher, loves the stuff), I also serve Montgomery Inn Ribs and Sauce with regularity (very popular with my Pittsburgh friends).

…if there are Bengals bars in other cities. I live in Cleveland but haven’t found a Bengals bar yet. Anyone know?

I hear there’s a Cincinnati bar in the D.C. area that serves Skyline on Sundays. I’ll have to get the name of it.

One thing you have to respect is the steeler fans’ loyalty. They are hardcore. I hate them though. All of my dealings with Steeler fans is how obnoxious and disrespectful they are to everyone else. They are indeed the worst.