Today's commemorative ticket includes a photo of Paul Brown. | ZOOM |

        Today's Bengals game against Cleveland — not the Aug. 19 preseason opener — will be the one people remember as the first in Paul Brown Stadium.

        “We wanted it to be this way,” Bengals president Mike Brown said. “We asked the league to schedule the Browns in our opening game. We're natural rivals. We're both in this state. Both teams were founded by the same guy.”

        That guy is Mr. Brown's late father, Paul Brown.

        A capacity crowd of 65,600 is expected at today's game, which will be televised on Channel 12 (WKRC-TV).

        Forrest Gregg, the only man besides Paul Brown to coach both teams, will present the game ball to officials.

        Hall-of-Famer Bill Willis of Columbus, who was among professional football's first four African-American players, will be the special guest of Mike Brown. Paul Brown signed Mr. Willis to play for the Cleveland Browns in 1946.

        Bengals coach Bruce Coslet also played for Paul Brown, a football innovator with no time for luxuries that didn't help him win games.

        “It's awesome,” Mr. Coslet said of the stadium. “It's a real tribute to (Paul Brown). He brought pro football to Cincinnati way back in 1967. I think he would be very proud of what is his legacy. Then he would say, "What are those big fluffy players doing with those big fluffy towels?'”

        The day's significance isn't lost on Browns coach Chris Palmer.

        “I'm honored to open up the stadium named after Paul Brown, who I hold in the highest regard,” he said.

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