Coach Dick LeBeau embraces Corey Dillon after presenting him a plaque in honor of his record setting performance. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        In a season filled with disappointment and frustration, the Bengals held onto their brightest hour a little longer Thursday when Corey Dillon was officially honored for his record-setting game.

        Dillon donated his jersey, uniform pants and shoes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Bengals organization presented Dillon a plaque of the Enquirer's Monday Sports section cover to commemorate his 278-yard rushing effort against Denver.

        “It's something I'll remember for a lifetime,” Dillon said.

        It was a moment when a tough football player and coach let emotion show. Dillon's eyes filled with tears, and his lower lip quivered during the noontime ceremony at Paul Brown Stadium. Coach Dick LeBeau's voice broke when he presented the plaque to Dillon on on behalf of team management.

Dillon with the game jersey he presented to the Hall of Fame. His T-shirt said "Trust in God". (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        “In my brief tenure as coach of the Bengals, let me assure you this is the most enjoyable task I've had to perform,” LeBeau said. “The accomplishments of you and your teammates are a great source of pride to your teammates, to the Bengal organization, to the city of Cincinnati.

        “And, Corey, we're very, very proud of you.”

        LeBeau handed the plaque to Dillon, and the two men embraced. Bengals employees in the room applauded.

        Joe Horrigan, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's vice president of communications and exhibits, then thanked Dillon for donating the uniform. It will be his second jersey in the hall, joining the shirt he wore in 1997 when he set a single-game rookie rushing record of 246 yards.

        Dillon's 2000 uniform will go in a display called “Pro Football Today.” It will be flanked on one side by Kurt Warner's jersey and a ball the Rams' quarterback used in his second perfect-rating game. On the other side will be the jersey and — after the season — the shoe worn by Minnesota kicker Gary Anderson when he broke George Blanda's NFL scoring record.

        “He's in very good company,” Horrigan said of Dillon.

        Dillon appeared almost overwhelmed by having two displays in the hall.

        “These are the highlights of my career. And they're going to stick with me until my resting day.”

        Photo gallery from record-breaking game

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