Editing Cincinnati Bengals (section)

==== Paul Brown and Bill Johnson years (1968–1978) ====
For their first two seasons, the Bengals played at [[Nippert Stadium]], the current home of the [[University of Cincinnati]] [[Cincinnati Bearcats football|Bearcats]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a6JQAAAAIBAJ&pg=4236,1676508&dq=nippert+stadium+cincinnati+bengals&hl=en|title=Hot Football Time in Old Cincy Tonight|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|agency=Associated Press|date=August 3, 1968|page=2C|access-date=December 8, 2012|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429023040/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a6JQAAAAIBAJ&pg=4236%2C1676508&dq=nippert+stadium+cincinnati+bengals&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The team held training camp at [[Wilmington College (Ohio)|Wilmington College]] in [[Wilmington, Ohio|Wilmington]], through the 1968 preseason. The team finished its first season with a 3–11 record<ref name="encyc">{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cin|title=Cincinnati Bengals Team Encyclopedia|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=December 8, 2012|archive-date=December 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220024621/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cin/|url-status=live}}</ref> and running back [[Paul Robinson (American football player)|Paul Robinson]], who rushed for 1,023 yards, and was named the AFL Rookie of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/1968-afl-rookie-of-the-year-paul-robinson/|title=1968 AFL Rookie of the Year – Paul Robinson {{!}} Tales from the AFL|website=talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com|access-date=March 15, 2017|archive-date=March 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085812/http://talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/1968-afl-rookie-of-the-year-paul-robinson/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Founder Paul Brown coached the team for its first eight seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul Brown Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BrowPa0.htm |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> One of Brown's college draft strategies was to draft players from non-traditional football schools. Punter/wide receiver [[Pat McInally]] attended [[Harvard University]], and linebacker Reggie Williams attended [[Dartmouth College]] and served on Cincinnati city council while on the Bengals' roster. Because of this policy, many former players went on to have successful careers in [[Play-by-play|commentary]] and [[broadcasting]] as well as the arts. In addition, Brown had a knack for locating and recognizing pro football talent in unusual places.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Verderame|first1=Matt|title=Paul Brown and his Lasting Influence on the NFL|url=http://fansided.com/2016/09/06/paul-brown-nfl-browns-bengals-innovations/|website=Fansided|date=September 6, 2016|publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=November 22, 2016|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122155141/http://fansided.com/2016/09/06/paul-brown-nfl-browns-bengals-innovations/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1970, the Bengals moved to play at Riverfront Stadium, a home they shared with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] until the team moved to [[Paycor Stadium|Paul Brown Stadium]] in [[2000 NFL season|2000]]. Notable players of the 1970 team included Virgil Carter, Chip Meyers, Jack Meckstroth, Bob Trumpy, and Lemar Parrish. Virgil Carter threw for 1,647 yards. Chip Myers paced all receivers, catching 32 passes for 542 yards. Bob Trumpy contributed to the receiving game, too.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1970 Cincinnati Bengals Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cin/1970.htm |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The team reached the playoffs three times during that decade, but could not win any of those postseason games. In [[1975 NFL season|1975]], the [[1975 Cincinnati Bengals season|team]] posted an 11–3 record, giving them what remains the highest winning percentage (.786) in franchise history. But it only earned them a wild card spot in the playoffs, behind the 12–2 [[1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]], who went on to win the Super Bowl; the Bengals lost to the [[1975 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] 31–28 in the divisional playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197512280rai.htm|title=Divisional Round – Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders – December 28th, 1975 {{!}} Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|access-date=March 15, 2017|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429023049/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197512280rai.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>