There were three professional football teams in Cincinnati before the current Bengals became a permanent fixture in the city. The Cincinnati Celts, Reds, and an earlier Bengals team (formed in 1937) all had short appearances in leagues that soon folded. It was not until 1967 that the football gods again smiled on Cincinnati. Paul Brown, who founded the Cleveland Browns in 1942, sold the Browns in 1962 and went to work organizing a Cincinnati team that played its first game in 1968. While the Bengals may not own any Super Bowl rings, they have won two AFC championship games, in 1981 and 1988, and were AFC Central Division champions five times, 1970, 1973, 1981, 1988, and 1990, as well as topping the AFC North in 2005.

Starting with black, white, and orange uniforms, the Cincinnati Bengals resembled their division rival, the Cleveland Browns. Fortunately the Bengals' uniforms have evolved. Today they wear bold, black stripes like Bengal tigers. Read about the Cincinnati BengalsÕ drive and evolution since 1968 in this title for young readers.

Who dey? Who dey? Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? NOBODY! Through narrative nonfiction, timelines, and Fun Facts, readers will engage with the history and superstars of the Cincinnati Bengals like never before.

"In Classic Bengals, authors Steve Watkins and Dick Maloney give a tour of the best moments in the Bengals's long history, which will evoke special memories from longtime fans and delight those who currently follow the team"--

Cincinnati Bengals 101 is required reading for every Bengals fan! From the 1970 "Miracle Bengals" and dancing the "Ickey Shuffle" to the excitement of the Browns rivalry, you'll share all the memories with the next generation. Enjoy all the traditions of your favorite team, learn the basics about playing football and share the excitement of the NFL!

So many colorful stories are lost to time. The last passenger pigeon on earth, Martha, died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914. The deadliest maritime disaster in American history was the explosion of the steamboat Sultana, built in the Queen City. Just outside the city, a young Annie Oakley beat her future husband in a shooting contest. The nation's first train robbery occurred in the Cincinnati area, and some clever victims hid jewelry in their hair and bodices. From the Black Brigade's role in protecting the city against Confederate siege to the original 1937 Cincinnati Bengals, author Jeff Suess reveals the triumphs and tribulations of the first major American city founded after the American Revolution.