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The Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots will meet in Super Bowl LIII.
Jared Goff will look to create a legacy, while Tom Brady will look to build on his, but a few former Bengals including a couple of fan favorites will also hand ave a chance to get a ring.
Losing offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth in free agency two seasons ago, was a huge blow for the Bengals. Whitworth was so respected by frustrated Bengals fans, that there weren’t even any hard feelings when he signed with the Rams.
Whitworth was not appreciated by league wide when he was in Cincinnati, but playing for the Rams has allowed him to get recognition for what an outstanding player he is. He is also an outstanding human being who is the Rams nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award do to his contributions to charities including Make a Wish, First Quarter for Literacy, and Grape Street Bike Giveaway. He also donated a game check to the Thousand Oaks community following the shooting there this fall.
Whitworth is a champion human being, and it would be incredible to see him hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth bought 600 bikes (and helmets!) for every kid at an L.A. elementary school https://t.co/2CvS7mZIzK
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 12, 2017
On the other side, Patriots running back Rex Burkhead gets his second shot at a Super Bowl win in New England after scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime of the AFC Championship Game.
Burkhead was terribly underutilized by the Bengals, but he has found a team in New England that understands his versatile skill set. Burkhead is also an incredible person who has done great things off the field, fighting pediatric cancer as a part of Team Jack.
Many may recall that it was Burkhead’s connection with Jack Hoffman which led to the 7-year old fighter running for a touchdown in Nebraska’s spring game in an incredible moment.
A Super Bowl ring could not come to a better guy.
Rex Burkhead, Jack Hoffman in Plano for @TeamJack Trifecta-Andy Dalton, Ameer Abdullah, Jackson Jeffcoat helping beat pediatric brain cancer pic.twitter.com/FRZfcaW827
— Bill Jones (@CBS11BillJones) April 1, 2017
Three other former Bengals have a shot at winning a Super Bowl this year. Jeremy Hill was once the Bengals leading rusher, but could win a ring on injured reserve with the Patriots.
Rams cornerback Troy Hill spent most of his rookie season with the Bengals before being waived and ironically having a cup of coffee in New England before signing with the Rams.
Patriots fullback James Develin also started his career with the Bengals spending some time on the team’s practice squad before heading to New England, where he has already won two Super Bowls.