While two Denver Post writers attack Cincinnati's character after the Bengals refused to allow Vance Joseph out of his contract, the Fritz Pollard Alliance handed out two awards to the Bengals organization.
Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis won Coach of the Year and vice president Katie Blackburn was named the Johnnie Cochran Salute to Excellence Executive of the Year.
Per the Mothership:
The Pollard group recognizes the top minorities each year during Super Bowl week. John Wooten, chairman of the alliance, said the Bengals’ fourth straight playoff appearance led to Blackburn’s selection.
When she accepted the award, Blackburn referenced how Wooten played for her grandfather in the late 1950s and early 1960s for the Cleveland Browns.
"It’s either a small world or life coming full circle," said Blackburn, who pointed to Lewis and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson in the audience as major reasons for the club’s success.
Speaking of Joseph, he will remain with Cincinnati where Marvin Lewis jokingly said on ESPN's NFL Insiders that he could be replacing him soon.
In other news, no one in the Broncos organization was nominated.