The Bengals are forming a new team with one of their future riverfront neighbors, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

        Bengals president Mike Brown says he will match player contributions up to $75,000 made to the center, which marks Cincinnati's historic significance in helping escaping slaves.

        “We're a group of people who are a mix of all races, and we've learned to make that work. We all get along reasonably well,” Brown said.

        “And it should work that way everywhere, and this new institution can help that process here and around the country.

        “I think that's worthwhile.”

        The $110 million educational center will open in spring 2004 in Cincinnati overlooking the Ohio River, which was considered the “River Jordan,” or the last barrier to freedom, by fleeing slaves.

        Brown is championing the center to other NFL owners.

        Freedom Center officials, with Brown's support, made a presention at the owners meeting last week in suburban Chicago.

        Freedom Center spokesman Ernest Britton said Friday that several NFL owners have expressed interest in supporting the project.

        “They are very excited about it,” Mr. Britton said.

        Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes also has signed on as a fund-raising spokesman for the center.

        He will make public appearances and do radio ads to help the center continue raising private donations.

        In addition, Spikes will be a contact for other NFL players.

        “The reason I like it and am so behind it is I just went to the (Great Blacks in Wax Museum) in Baltimore. It was amazing to see how black people went through so much and how we take it for granted,” said Spikes, 24, a three-year NFL veteran who is African-American.

        Spikes, along with entertainer Harry Belafonte, will be primary fund-raisers for the center, which is more than $63 million toward its $110 million goal.

        More meetings between the Bengals and Freedom Center officials are scheduled for the next two weeks to complete plans for a Bengals sponsorship of the center, Britton said.

        Bengals coach Dick LeBeau also showed his support for the center and had his team take a stand for racial harmony. During Wednesday's voluntary workout at Paul Brown Stadium, LeBeau had the team observe the city's three-minute pause for peace.

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