So Who Invited the CINderella Bengals to the Super Ball?

A year ago, the Kansas City Chiefs’ attempt at winning back-to-back Super Bowl titles was thwarted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One season earlier, Andy Reid’s team rallied to defeat the San Francisco 49ers, 31-20, in Super Bowl LIV in South Florida. And in 2018, the Los Angeles Rams fell to the New England Patriots, 13-3, in Super Bowl LIII at Atlanta.

Notice a common thread when it comes to the NFL’s Final Four in 2021? The field includes the last three teams to lose a Super Bowl (and one that won a title in 2019).

So where do the Cincinnati Bengals figure in this mix? They are certainly the odd team out when it comes to recent history. Of course, the Niners (5), Chiefs (2) and Rams (1) have all hoisted at least one Lombardi Trophy. Meanwhile, the Bengals have played on Super Sunday twice and fell short each time – ironically to the San Francisco 49ers.

The first Super Sunday encounter between the franchises saw Bill Walsh’s club outlast the Bengals, 26-21, in Super Bowl XVI at the Pontiac Silverdome. The second meeting was a thrilling 20-16 triumph in South Florida (XXIII) in which legendary quarterback Joe Montana, running back Roger Craig, underrated wideout John Taylor and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice worked their magic late in the fourth quarter.

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That was the culmination of the 1988 NFL season. So what was PFG VIBE co-founder Julie Voigt up to more than three decades ago?

That was an exceptionally long, LONG time ago. I was a 10-year-old quiet, shy and soft-spoken girl who was simply weird to some. I collected baseball cards while some girls were collecting dolls. I was playing video games with my brother while other girls were disgusted by it. I played baseball and wrestled when other girls were in dance class. I was different. And it was allowed in my family, especially because my dad allowed me to be me.

So 1988 was a great sports year for a family that lived in the Chicagoland area. The Cubs’ first night game was played. My Dad and I watched it on good ole WGN TV. We also watched Michael Jordan lead the NBA in points scored. But most importantly, we both got to watch Bears football. It was the first season that we were not watching the great Walter Payton play. But just the joy of spending time with my Dad watching TV. And of course, being his personal remote control, was the best part of my childhood. And 1988 brings back great Bears’ moments that included watching Mike Ditka coach a team that made the playoffs and played in the famous “Fog Bowl” vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wow. It was a different league and a different game. And those AFC Central champion Bengals led by quarterback Boomer Esiason (the NFL MVP in 1988) and head coach Sam Wyche certainly put up quite the fight against that 49ers’ dynasty. These days, it is second-year quarterback Joe Burrow, rookie wideout Ja’Marr Chase and an improved defense.

If Cincinnati does manage to beat the Chiefs for a second time this year, one thing would not have changed. Each off the franchise’s first two Super Bowl appearances were preceded by losing seasons. A year ago, Zac Taylor’s club finished 4-11-1. Could history repeat itself once again?