Thread by @DavidPepper

A BENGALS THREAD: Evolving into a Burrow-style Bengals fan:

The Bengals had just lost two home games in a row, falling to 7-6 and behind their rivals in the AFC North.

The team was heading to Denver, where we always lose

The once great season looked to be coming to an end

1/

And then something happened.

It was the 3rd quarter. We weren’t playing well and Denver was hanging around.

Bengals fans like me had seen this all before. Filled with dread about the inevitable end

But then, texting with my brother @dougpepper , I did something crazy…

2/

Somewhat tongue in cheek, against all that I was actually feeling at the time and 30 years of fan experience, I texted three words: “We got this.”

Doug responded in exactly the way I would’ve if he had sent the same message.

3/

I knew he was right. But I decided to run with it.

So I doubled down with this:

4/

Not only was I predicting a win, when a season-killing loss was looming, but I now was going a step further.

First place!

Doug, of course, was uncomfortable with this newfound approach to watching games.

It was all so foreign.

5/

His fear only spurred me to up my confidence in the inevitable win:

6/

Yes, with our theoretic victory in hand (although it wasn’t at the time), I wanted to watch our rival Ravens lose so we’d get into first place.

Fear left Doug—this new level of fan boldness inspired amusement. Laughter!

7/

But I didn’t let that stop me.

I was on a roll. And it felt empowering.

Back came more optimism. And for the first time, some self-awareness of an evolution taking place. Then even more confidence. Trash talk, even

I declared “ballgame” long before the outcome was clear.

8/

But I turned out to be right.

And yes, I then enjoyed watching the Ravens lose in disastrous fashion.

But Bengals fans will also remember that at the end of that game, Mixon looked to be badly hurt.

Of course, that sour point was the focus of Doug’s next message.

9/

A very Bengals fan instinct. Doom dead ahead.

But no, I was not going to let that worry change my new attitude.

I did an instant medical analysis from my couch and declared all to be fine.

10/

It was clear I was making progress, because in his next text, brother Doug mentioned two words Bengals fans never utter unless reliving painful memories (Ie. Billups, Krumrie, Wilson, Montana-Taylor): “Super Bowl”

Still, it was laced in pessimism about the injury.

11/

Again, I pushed back. All would be good.

12/

And lo and behold, Mixon did come back.

With the win, we climbed to 8-6 and first place. And never looked back.

The rest is history.

And it all started with that Denver road win.

13/

Now I’m not saying my new attitude is what changed the trajectory of the season.

If others, on reading this thread, want to give me credit, that’s fine with me. 😎

14/

But what I will say is my decision to approach Bengals games as a fan w the same confidence that Burrow and the team have approached the games themselves has made the ride SO much more enjoyable

I can’t recommend it highly enough.

It’s a new team. A new era.

Burrow time!

15/

So in the next 10 days, when people yell “Who Dey?” and I respond with “Nobody!”, know that I absolutely mean it.

You do the same.

END