The moniker “Bengals,” applied to Cincinnati’s professional football team, originates from a prior Cincinnati Bengals franchise that played in three previous American Football Leagues from 1937 to 1942. This earlier team, founded by Hal Pennington, served as the namesake for the modern NFL team established in 1967.
Paul Brown, the founder and first coach of the modern Bengals, chose to retain the name to honor the city’s football heritage and provide a sense of continuity. The selection also alluded to the presence of white Bengal tigers at the Cincinnati Zoo, further solidifying the connection between the team and the city’s identity. The name, therefore, was both a tribute to the past and a reflection of Cincinnati’s present.
The naming convention reflects a common practice in sports, where team names are often chosen to evoke local pride, pay homage to history, or symbolize qualities such as strength, agility, or ferocity. In the case of Cincinnati’s football team, the name serves as a constant reminder of its historical and cultural roots within the city.
1. Cincinnati’s football heritage
Cincinnati’s football heritage directly impacts the team’s name. The modern Cincinnati Bengals, established in 1967, adopted the “Bengals” moniker to honor the city’s prior professional football teams. This deliberate choice connects the present franchise to the city’s gridiron legacy.
-
The Previous Bengals Teams
Before the NFL Bengals, multiple Cincinnati Bengals teams played in various American Football Leagues from 1937 to 1942. These teams established a local football identity. Retaining the name signified a continuation of this sporting tradition within the city.
-
Paul Brown’s Intent
Paul Brown, the founder and coach, chose the name deliberately. It was intended to acknowledge the past and establish immediate recognition and local support for the new franchise. Brown aimed to tap into pre-existing goodwill associated with Cincinnati football.
-
City Identity and Pride
The name “Bengals,” especially when paired with the tiger imagery, links the team to Cincinnati’s identity. The presence of white Bengal tigers at the Cincinnati Zoo further reinforced this association, embedding the team within the city’s cultural fabric.
-
Contrast with Alternative Names
Alternative names may have lacked the historical resonance and immediate recognizability. The choice of “Bengals” leveraged a pre-existing brand, offering an advantage in establishing the team’s presence and fan base.
The team’s name is not arbitrary, but a conscious decision rooted in Cincinnati’s football history. The retention of “Bengals” acknowledges the city’s sporting past, fostering local pride, and ensuring immediate recognition. The name choice intertwines the team with Cincinnati’s cultural identity.
Insights on “Why are the Bengals called the Bengals?”
Examining the Cincinnati Bengals’ name offers several insights applicable to branding, historical continuity, and local identity in various contexts.
Tip 1: Leverage Existing Heritage: When establishing a new entity, consider drawing upon pre-existing history or local traditions. The Bengals’ name selection illustrates how honoring the past can foster immediate recognition and goodwill.
Tip 2: Symbolism Enhances Identity: Use symbols or imagery that resonate with the target audience. The Bengals’ association with Bengal tigers, both in name and imagery, connects the team to the city’s zoo and evokes characteristics like strength and agility.
Tip 3: Continuity Builds Loyalty: Maintaining elements of a previous iteration, such as a name, can build a sense of continuity and loyalty among stakeholders. This strategy is useful during re-branding efforts or when introducing new versions of existing products.
Tip 4: Local Relevance Matters: Ensure that your brand is locally relevant. The Bengals’ name choice aligns the team with Cincinnati’s identity, increasing local engagement and support.
Tip 5: Consider Name Recognition: When choosing a name, prioritize recognizability and ease of recall. The Bengals’ name, due to its prior association with Cincinnati football, offered an advantage in establishing the team’s presence.
Tip 6: Cultural Connection: Building a brand involves intertwining with the local cultural landscape. The “Bengals” are not merely a team name; it’s woven into the city’s fabric through local identity, history, and shared pride.
In essence, the story of the Cincinnati Bengals’ name provides valuable lessons regarding the power of historical continuity, local relevance, and symbolic association in establishing a strong and recognizable brand.
Understanding these underlying principles allows for a deeper appreciation of the thought process behind branding decisions and the impact they have on a brand’s perception and success.
Conclusion
The Cincinnati Bengals’ name is not arbitrary, but instead is deeply rooted in the city’s football past. The moniker serves as both a tribute to earlier Cincinnati Bengals teams and a deliberate choice to foster local identity. Retaining the name from prior football leagues helped the new franchise quickly establish recognition and connection to Cincinnati. The association with Bengal tigers further solidified this identity.
Examining “Why are the Bengals called the Bengals?” reveals the lasting power of historical continuity, local relevance, and symbolic association. The strategic naming decision provides important insight into sports branding. This offers the chance for sports brands and other entities to emulate it by learning more about their past, local identity, and connection and how they can be used to create a strong and recognizable brand.
