Bad Bengals Better Than No Bengals

I understand. I see and feel the frustration of all the losing the Bengals have occurred over the past 20 plus years. It is tough, unsatisfying, deflating and possibly expensive in rooting and backing a losing, or at best, a non-winning football team year after year after year. And there seems to be little progress being made. The same things keep being done and the non-winning continues. And you know what they say about doing the same things and expecting different results. Who ARE the insane ones?

But there is one thing I want the citizens of Cincinnati to understand; we are better off with them than without them. I want a winner as much as the next person, and enjoy a winner as much as the next person. I hope things could be done a little differently and maybe by different people, but you will never have it come out of my mouth that the commissioners of Hamilton County should just let them leave. Even in their present state they are good for too many citizens of Cincinnati; weather they be fans of the Bengals, football or not. Too many people depend on the Bengals directly or indirectly for their goods or services. Their existence brings in tax dollars, regardless of the present shortfall of projections. If you don't want to support the Bengals financially because of their situation, again, I understand. But understand that without them in the area , things could and would be worse.

First of all, I remember when there was no Cincinnati Bengals. I remember the process and the jubilation when the city landed an American Football League franchise. I remember going to the Bengals first home game against the Denver Broncos at Nippert Stadium. I am still angry that I lost the WLW souvenir football that they gave away that day. That the Bengals won that day was icing on the cake. Cincinnati had a professional football team. We had the Bengals.

I was also here when the city lost the Cincinnati Royals. And the city has never been the same when it comes to the love of basketball since. Sure there has been the years when the city rallied around Cincinnati Bearcat Basketball, but only when the won, and won big, and regularly advanced in the NCAA Tournament. Cincinnati is NOT a "support your college team town." Cincinnati is not Columbus. OH. or Lexington, KY. You can see that by how they support the current Basketball Bearcats. The State of Ohio is not going to be majority supporters of Cincinnati college athletics, especially football. Believe me, the difference between Cincinnati, Columbus and Lexington is the Cincinnati Reds and the CINCINNATI BENGALS. Believe me, we don't want to lose them.

And while I am not making excuses for Mike Brown and his handling of the organizations’, I must say that I UNDERSTAND. He was around when his father, Paul Brown lost/gave away/sold control of the Cleveland Browns. He saw what it did to his family and I am sure that has a lot to do with his keeping the Bengals so close to the vest. I would love for him to have additional help or outside help from other than family members. But I understand! And keep this in mind; it was Mike Brown who recommended to his father that he pursue a franchise in Cincinnati.

Root for a winner. Root for change. Do what you gonna do to make it easy on yourself as a fan, whatever that may be. But don't ask for the Bengals
to leave town. Don't later regret what you asked for. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, or the Bengals.

Should Sports and Politics Mix?

I get it. I really do. From both sides. I understand. I see what everyone else is seeing, though I believe one side is not seeing the whole picture.

The immigration issue is a very hot button issue in society. Opinions are varied and angered. From both sides. Most people who have heard anything about what is going on in Arizona has something to say. Even if they aren't sure what to say.

I am not here to offer my opinion. I am not here to change anyone else opinion. I merely want to discuss should sports, leagues, their representatives, affiliates and anyone associated with sports have an opinion? Should the sporting world have an official response? Should sports and politics mix.

This is what I think; Not only should sports and politics mix but they always have. Many people including some sportswriters, sportscasters, people presently and formerly associated with sports say there is no reason to mix the two. To this I say; REALLY?

Sports and politics are mixed more now than ever before. This even before the immigration issue in Arizona began. Sports is business (BIG BUSINESS) and as every one knows big business and politics are bed buddies. I mean ML Baseball even has an anti-trust exemption. Can't get much more mixed than that.

There are so many other ways that sports and politics are mixed. When many cities and states needed to add money to their coffers, which was one of the first groups they looked toward? Athletes. When sports team owners want to build new playhouses who have they often looked to? Taxpayers. When politicians wanted to score points with voters they took on the steroid issue in Congress. When presidents want to show what good sports they are, who do they have visit the White House? Championship teams.

Money is business. Business is politics. Relationships are politics. Whether it be office politics or government politics, there is an connection between money and relationships. There are many rules and regulations regarding interview procedures for the average employer. There are some things you just can't legally ask a potential employee. I have to think asking if your mother is a prostitute would be one. In whatever the context the question was asked. But many people think that N.F.L. teams (and other professional leagues) should be able to ask any thing that comes to mind, because they are going to pay a potential athlete/employee MILLIONS Of DOLLARS. Reminds me of a scene in the movie Showgirls where the strip club manger was telling a new dancer that the customer was not allow to touch her. Then he added unless he paid a lot of money. Then it would be okay.

How could anyone making money through or because of sports have any thoughts that money and politics should not mix. Two reasons may be that they are afraid that anther's opinion might not agree with theirs, or that the other opinion or action (boycott) might cost them money.

Should sports and politics mix? That horse has long left the gate, those bases have long ago been touched, another play has already been run. Can't wave off that basket.