The vision and proud history of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals began in the late 1960s, as legendary football coach Paul Brown looked to form a new AFL team in anticipation of an inevitable AFL-NFL merger. When the merger happened in 1970 and the NFL became the dominant professional football league in the nation, the Bengals were a part of it, joining the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers in the AFC Central division.
Founded in the very heartland of professional football, the Cincinnati Bengals have grown into a franchise of innovation and excellence. The Bengals have made frequent playoff appearances, reaching Super Bowls in the 1981, 1988 and 2021 seasons, and producing legendary players like NFL MVP Boomer Esiason and Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Muñoz. Bengal fanatics have every reason to wear their team colors and honor their team history with enduring pride.
With the high-contrast orange, black, and white team colors and the tiger stripe design introduced by the team for the 1981 season, Bengals fans have some of the most stunning merchandise and memorabilia choices in all of the NFL. In one sense, a Cincinnati fan can’t go wrong with any Bengals sports collectibles, but there are some factors to consider when choosing any kind of officially licensed sports apparel for friends and family.
First, Bengals fans have a rich legacy to uphold. Wearing the names or numbers of any Cincinnati Bengals player from any era—such as recent Bengals Ring of Honor inductees Willie Anderson and Isaac Curtis—or choosing merchandise of any historic style of uniform or logos brings honor to the franchise, educates new Cincinnati fans, and helps spread Bengals fandom far and wide.
Second, the heartland of professional football is a rugged one. Bengals fans have to be prepared for any kind of conditions, from the searing heat of September to the blustering winds of November to the swirling snowflakes of January. True Cincinnati fans will be ready with Bengals apparel for whatever conditions come their way.
The Classic Cincinnati Bengals Jersey
A Cincinnati Bengals jersey is the top of the class of Cincinnati shirts, and a true Cincinnati football fanatic knows that the best way to show the heart of a Bengal is by proudly wearing one. They are the ultimate in officially licensed sports apparel, whether they represent the Bengals of today, yesterday, or even those in the stands who have the heart of a Bengal but have never played a down on the field.
Black is always in fashion, and that’s true of the Bengals classic black jersey, and it was the color of the Bengals 2021 Super Bowl appearance, as seen in the Super Bowl LVI edition. But, as many NFL teams use black as one of their colors, it doesn’t hurt to also fill the stands and game day parties with a Bengals bright orange jersey. For the 2022 season, the Bengals new “White Bengal” helmet design made to go along with their alternative white player uniform is the talk of the NFL. The hype is making the alternate Bengals white jersey the most popular choice in Cincinnati shirts.
While Bengals fans can enjoy having their own names and favorite numbers on a custom-made jersey of any team color, they also know and appreciate the value of star power, and the current Cincinnati Bengals young roster already boasts some true NFL superstars. Choosing these players’ jerseys will win as many points with family and friends as these players are going to accumulate in the seasons to come.
QB Joe Burrow
In just two seasons, Joe Burrow has become one of the elite passers in the NFL, leading the league with a 70.4% completion percentage and 8.9 yards gained per pass attempt in 2021. Picked first overall by Cincinnati in the 2020 NFL Draft, Burrow did not let a season-ending injury his rookie year keep him from leading the Bengals to their third Super Bowl in 2021.
WR Ja’Maar Chase
Drafted by the Bengals in 2021, Ja’Maar Chase took the field with former LSU teammate Joe Burrow and became an instant NFL star. His 1,455 receiving yards, 18-yard average and 13 touchdown receptions earned him the 2021 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
WR Tee Higgins
Wide receiver Tee Higgins was chosen in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the same year as quarterback Joe Burrow. That year, Higgins tied Chris Collinsworth for the Bengals rookie receptions record with 67 catches. In the 2021 season, Higgins had 1,091 receiving yards on the way to reaching Super Bowl LVI.
RB Joe Mixon
Since being drafted by Cincinnati in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Joe Mixon has rushed for over 1,100 yards in three of his last four seasons. His 1,205 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021 helped the Bengals reach their third Super Bowl.
There are also Bengals superstars of yesterday whose Cincinnati legacies are always in fashion. These are the players that paved the way for the Bengals success of the modern era whose names will always be tied to the Bengals and regarded with respect and admiration.
OT Anthony Muñoz
Perhaps the best left tackle in NFL history, Anthony Muñoz wore jersey number 78 for Cincinnati his entire 13-year career and was selected to the Pro Bowl and voted an All-Pro for eleven consecutive seasons, from 1981 to 1991. Muñoz was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
QB Boomer Esiason
Wearing jersey number 7, three-time Pro Bowler Boomer Esiason played for Cincinnati for ten seasons, winning the NFL MVP Award in 1988 as he led the Bengals to their second Super Bowl. Esiason threw for 27,149 yards and 187 touchdowns for Cincinnati, and today works as a respected football analyst for CBS’s The NFL Today and Showtime’s Inside the NFL.
WR Cris Collinsworth
Cris Collinsworth played for the Cincinnati Bengals for all eight seasons of his NFL career, wearing number 80 from 1981 to 1988 and helping the team reach two Super Bowls. Collinsworth averaged over 1,000 receiving yards per season for his first five full seasons and was selected to three straight Pro Bowls in his first three seasons. He has gone on to even greater success in the broadcast booth, winning 17 Sports Emmy awards for his work with NBC, Showtime, and the NFL Network.
RB Ickey Woods
The 1988 rookie season of Ickey Woods, who wore jersey number 31 that year, saw him finish third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting as he rushed for 1,066 yards and 15 touchdowns, helping Cincinnati reach its second Super Bowl. His touchdown celebration, known as “The Ickey Shuffle” became a national sensation. Unfortunately, injuries cut short a promising career, but Woods has remained in the spotlight for his charitable work with Children’s Hospital and establishing the Javonte Woods Foundation.
The Versatile Cincinnati Bengals Sweatshirt
The intensity of jerseys aren’t the only way for Cincinnati fanatics to show their Bengals pride. For year-round comfort, nothing beats a collection of great Bengals sweatshirts, whether at home, at school, at the gym, or while just hanging out or running around. Officially licensed Bengals sweatshirts also showcase a creative freedom that can be tailored to reflect a fan’s personality, from the boldest to the most elegant of designs.
Salute to Service Sweatshirt Designs
This special apparel collection is a year-round effort to honor, empower, and connect our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. You can proudly support our military and your favorite team, the Cincinnati Bengals, with a new Salute to Service hoodie, sweatshirt, t-shirt, or hat. The NFL does not profit from the sale of Salute to Service products. Instead, charitable contributions are awarded by the NFL Foundation to the NFL’s military nonprofit partners.
Bold Bengals Sweatshirt Designs
Some officially licensed sweatshirt designs are meant to draw the eye. And, sometimes when Cincinnati’s unique gray sweatshirt “Who Dey?” expression is included, it’s more than a little fun.
Elegant Bengals Sweatshirt Designs
For those who want to show the world they love the Bengals without shouting about it, more subtle quarter-zip white pullover top always look classy and elegant.
Cincinnati Shirts and T-shirts are More Than Just Comfortable Tops
Of course, the whole purpose of fashion is to look good, and the whole purpose of printed shirts is to make a meaningful statement while looking good. Just the right message on a t-shirt is something that will be admired by all who love the Bengals, and are appreciated even by rivals. It’s always appropriate to show off your casual officially licensed sports apparel. There are many different looks and styles for men, women, and kids.
The Cincinnati Bengals are NFL contenders, and officially licensed sports apparel is a great way to show appreciation for their hard work and excellence.
