Now that it has been two weeks since the Super Bowl, we can finally begin to process the Bengals loss. A true Bengals fan, like myself, experienced a wide range of emotions over the Bengals Super Bowl run. We experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
Photo courtesy of Elsie Manolis
Disbelief: When McPherson’s kick went through the uprights to send the Bengals to their first Super Bowl since the 80s, it seemed too good to be true. No way the Bengals could beat the mighty Chiefs on the road. Forget winning one playoff game, how did we win three?? As ecstatic as we were after the win, it was just so hard to believe.
Excitement: With two weeks until the big game, Bengals fans could be excited. The entire city was energized, and it was impossible not to believe in this Bengals team. Between the rally at Paul Brown Stadium and the signs throughout the city, there was not a single person who wasn’t excited -except a certain person on Oldtimber Place ;)
Gatekeeping: Maybe it was just me, but there was a small part of me that wanted to call out people for not being a true Bengals fan. Suddenly every single person was the biggest Who-Dey supporter, but had they been there for all the losses? I know for a fact most of the people at Walnut and on social media claiming they are true fans did not endure through all of the painful losses I sat through.
Nerves: As kickoff loomed, nerves started to set in. Everyone knows how hard it is to make the Super Bowl, and we didn’t want the Bengals to blow our possibly once in a decade (or four) chance. History of past huge Bengals games loomed in fans minds, increasing the nerves.
Belief: The first half was a good back and forth, and the Bengals proved they could hang with the Rams. The beginning of the second half is what really brought belief to us true fans. First with Tee Higgins huge touchdown, then the interception, I truly believed the Bengals were about to take dominance over the game.
Panic: This belief started to crumple though, as we wasted the turnovers the defense brought us. Cooper Kupp got hot, meanwhile our offense was sputtering. As the penalties began to rack up, memories of the old Bengals began rushing in. Panic was setting in that the Bengals were going to blow the game.
Pain: Logan Wilson’s penalty on third down caused me to scream “this is the old Bengals” and the all too familiar feeling of a close game getting away started to sink in. As Joe Burrow got sacked on fourth down, we all felt a stab to the heart. Our dream season was over. The Bengals were SO close to the first championship in franchise history, but it slipped through our fingers.
Depression: The 24 hours following the loss were hard for the fans. As replays came out we saw how stupid Logan Wilson’s holding call was and how if Burrow would have just had one more second on that final play Chase was wide open. For me personally, it was a depressing 24 hours. Seeing anything about the Ram's celebration just made it worse. It should've been us hosting that parade.
Acceptance: Although it is challenging, we have to accept the Bengals fate. The season didn’t end how we wanted it to, but in August who could have ever dreamed of all that we would accomplish. From AFC North champions, to our first playoff victory in 31 years, to the thrilling game winners in Tennessee and Kansas City by McPherson, the Bengals gave us plenty to celebrate. They brought so much joy to the fans and the city, and we have to accept that the season may have ended in a loss, but it was actually so much of a success.
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