James Rapien grew up in Saint Bernard, Ohio, and has followed the Cincinnati Bengals from a young age. His hometown is less than eight miles from the stadium. He watched every Bengals game, and he always dreamed of working in sports. The only books he read as a kid were about basketball, baseball, and football.James earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from the University of Cincinnati. He started his career as a radio producer at 700 WLW and 1530 WCKY. He has covered the Bengals in a variety of ways throughout the years. He’s currently on the AllBengals beat for Sports Illustrated. He also hosts the Locked on Bengals podcast and is the founder of Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube.James still hosts radio shows and makes frequent appearances on both WLW and WCKY. He’s also a regular contributor to Spectrum News. He loves a good trade rumor and uses copious amounts of hot sauce on his food. Cincinnati chili is his go-to meal, followed by gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. When he isn’t working or eating, he’s probably walking his dog or spending time with his wife and daughter.

• Football AbbreviationsForewordA Bit of NFL HistoryAuthor’s NotesIntroduction196819691970Paul Brown197119721973197419751976Ken Anderson197719781979All-1970s Team19801981Super Season1982198319841985198619871988A Game for the Ages1989All-1980s Team19901991199219931994199519961997Hall-of-Famers19981999All-1990s Team2000Dillon Runs Wild20012002200320042005Playoffs, at Last2006200720082009All-2000s Team20102011Best Catches201220132014201520162017Marvin Lewis20182019All-2010s Team20202021AFC Champions2022Photo CreditsSourcesAbout the Author

James Rapien grew up in Saint Bernard, Ohio, and has followed the Cincinnati Bengals from a young age. His hometown is less than eight miles from the stadium. He watched every Bengals game, and he always dreamed of working in sports. The only books he read as a kid were about basketball, baseball, and football.James earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from the University of Cincinnati. He started his career as a radio producer at 700 WLW and 1530 WCKY. He has covered the Bengals in a variety of ways throughout the years. He’s currently on the AllBengals beat for Sports Illustrated. He also hosts the Locked on Bengals podcast and is the founder of Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube.James still hosts radio shows and makes frequent appearances on both WLW and WCKY. He’s also a regular contributor to Spectrum News. He loves a good trade rumor and uses copious amounts of hot sauce on his food. Cincinnati chili is his go-to meal, followed by gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. When he isn’t working or eating, he’s probably walking his dog or spending time with his wife and daughter.

• Football AbbreviationsForewordA Bit of NFL HistoryAuthor’s NotesIntroduction196819691970Paul Brown197119721973197419751976Ken Anderson197719781979All-1970s Team19801981Super Season1982198319841985198619871988A Game for the Ages1989All-1980s Team19901991199219931994199519961997Hall-of-Famers19981999All-1990s Team2000Dillon Runs Wild20012002200320042005Playoffs, at Last2006200720082009All-2000s Team20102011Best Catches201220132014201520162017Marvin Lewis20182019All-2010s Team20202021AFC Champions2022Photo CreditsSourcesAbout the Author

James Rapien grew up in Saint Bernard, Ohio, and has followed the Cincinnati Bengals from a young age. His hometown is less than eight miles from the stadium. He watched every Bengals game, and he always dreamed of working in sports. The only books he read as a kid were about basketball, baseball, and football.James earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from the University of Cincinnati. He started his career as a radio producer at 700 WLW and 1530 WCKY. He has covered the Bengals in a variety of ways throughout the years. He’s currently on the AllBengals beat for Sports Illustrated. He also hosts the Locked on Bengals podcast and is the founder of Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube.James still hosts radio shows and makes frequent appearances on both WLW and WCKY. He’s also a regular contributor to Spectrum News. He loves a good trade rumor and uses copious amounts of hot sauce on his food. Cincinnati chili is his go-to meal, followed by gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert. When he isn’t working or eating, he’s probably walking his dog or spending time with his wife and daughter.

• Football AbbreviationsForewordA Bit of NFL HistoryAuthor’s NotesIntroduction196819691970Paul Brown197119721973197419751976Ken Anderson197719781979All-1970s Team19801981Super Season1982198319841985198619871988A Game for the Ages1989All-1980s Team19901991199219931994199519961997Hall-of-Famers19981999All-1990s Team2000Dillon Runs Wild20012002200320042005Playoffs, at Last2006200720082009All-2000s Team20102011Best Catches201220132014201520162017Marvin Lewis20182019All-2010s Team20202021AFC Champions2022Photo CreditsSourcesAbout the Author