Sunday, December 26, 1999
What the fans say
Despite the worst record in the NFL during the 1990s, Bengals fans have remained loyal. They passed the Hamilton County sales tax increase, which paved the way for construction of Paul Brown Stadium. But now, some fans — tired of the mounting losses — say changes are needed inside the Bengals' organization.
Here are what some fans said before the Bengals-Browns clash Dec. 12, the last regular season game at Cinergy Field.
• Maurice Wimperly, 40, corrections officer, Yellow Springs:
“We endured a lot, but I see a bright future. I'm a Bengals fan through and through. With a new stadium, I think (Mike) Brown needs to give a little something back. We need him to show some commitment.
“I'm still loyal. Mike Brown needs to show the same thing to the team and the community.”
• Ron Sharret of McArthur, Ohio, Vinton County engineer:
“They'll get back. It's been rough. Hopefully the new stadium will make a difference. Anything new, you'll probably try harder.”
• Bob Kuhn of Loveland, 38, a Cincinnati firefighter, with a license plate on his van that reads "4 BENGLS':
“If I would have known 10 years ago, I don't know if I'd have season tickets.”
“They need a GM. He (Mike Brown) is basically worried about making money. We wasted so many No.1 picks. I'd like to get away from blaming him every year. It's too easy.”
• Lanie Fangman, 33, of Loveland, about to enter the Cincinnati Police Academy:
“It'd sure be nice if we had a winning team. We're going to have an awesome stadium. It's kind of like we're getting a fresh start. It's a little hard to have support when you're losing so much.
“We've done our part. We agreed to the sales tax. Now give us something back. I really hope (Mike Brown) will put a little bit back into it as far as paying for players. He's trying to make as much as he can.”
• Skip Lancaster, 47, Bridgetown, route supervisor for Marx Bagels:
“I wish there was a light at the end of the tunnel, but I don't see it. Every year for the past four years it gets tougher and tougher to come down here. It has to be because of Mike Brown. All of the mistakes he's made.... Unless he steps back and says, "My way is not working,' nothing's going to change.”
• Bonnie McCulla, 43, of Xenia:
“We're pretty excited. It (the new stadium) will bring up the overall morale of the people and the players, because now they'll be a first-class team.”
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