Packers fans filled Lambeau Field earlier this month to celebrate Brett Favre’s entry into the team’s Hall of Fame and they’ll fill it again on Thanksgiving to celebrate Favre’s career again.
Plenty of other stadiums will play host to similar moments this season as teams guarantee their fans will have something to cheer about by welcoming back old heroes for another round of applause. Paul Brown Stadium will have no such events because the Bengals have no team Hall of Fame, Ring of Honor or anything else devoted to the achievements of players like Anthony Munoz, Ken Anderson or Ken Riley other than pictures by one entrance to the stadium.
Some former Bengals have complained about that and owner Mike Brown said Tuesday that he’s heard their complaints.
“I understand the players,” Brown said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. “They want to be remembered. I think it is a good thing to do that. We have never traded here on nostalgia. That’s probably my fault. Because a little of it is a good thing. Fans like that sort of thing. What I’m saying is I’m stewing on it. I’m aware of the discomfort with our position. ... We’ve had decades now of wonderful players here. I can understand why people feel we should have celebrated them more and perpetuated their achievements better than we have. I’m probably at fault.”
Brown’s admission isn’t a promise that the Bengals will immediately start doing things differently. While he admits the pictures hanging are “probably not” enough reference to the team’s history, Brown said that “maybe someone who comes after me can do better” when it comes to celebrating the past.