With star running back Chase Brown from London, Ont. the Forest City already was starting to form a Bengals nation fan base.
The number of supporters was surprising as chants of ‘Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals?’ rang out in Joe Kool’s bar Saturday afternoon.
The Richmond Row bar was hosting a draft party for the NFL franchise.
“This means the world because I’ve been a lifelong fan,” said Jamie Sherrell, a Cincinnati Bengals season ticket holder from London.
“When I was a child, my dad was a Kenny Anderson fan, and we got season tickets back in 1989. When I became an adult and had the opportunity to get my own tickets, I jumped at it and I have had them for 11 years.”
The NFL supplied a live camera, and South High School football coach Mike Stenning announced the 128th overall pick live on television.
He was surrounded by players from the London Jr. Mustangs and South Lions as he made the selection of Connor Lew, a centre from Auburn University.
“The fact that I played centre and I got to read the center’s name out, it means a lot,” said Stenning, who played NCAA football at Kent State, and coached Chase Brown at South.
Fans wearing jerseys from all decades in Bengals history packed the bar.
“This is one of the biggest things to ever come to Joe Kool’s,” said Cris Cervoni, general manager.
“The Bengals wanted to do a Canadian outreach and last year they brought the mascot down and did a promotion for us. About 100 people showed up head-to-toe in tiger colour’s and I didn’t even know how big this was going to be until it started out. London’s a big football city.”
The Bengals were thrilled with the hospitality.
“It’s a great turnout,” said AD Briggs, manager of fan development for the Bengals.
“It’s very exciting to see Bengals fans everywhere. It started with us getting the global market rights in Canada. With Chase Brown as our starting running back, we made a connection with Joe Kool’s, and the partnership grew from there. We made the six-hour drive and I can’t imagine the season ticket holders making that drive ten times a yar but it’s really cool.”
Among those in attendance was Darren Isaac, the father of Chase Brown.
“This is the third event they’ve had here and it’s great for the kids,” said Isaac.
“Chase and (his twin brother) Sidney, they’ve come back and are giving back. I was never a Bengals fan until Chase was there and he’s doing well, training hard and getting ready for the season.”
The live announcement is something Stenning will never forget. He even has the souvenir to remember it.
“I got the draft card and I got the name,” said Stenning.
“I think Connor and I will be forever connected in his NFL journey.”
