By Dustin Dow
Enquirer staff writer

The leadership of the NFL is starting to like what it sees in Cincinnati.

NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue lofted hefty praise upon coach Marvin Lewis and the Bengals organization Friday, citing the Bengals' community-outreach efforts as a positive inspiration within the region. Tagliabue also pointed to the team's on-field return to .500 under Lewis as evidence of the Bengals returning to a respectable place in the league.

"I think the whole organization changed, and Marvin was a big part of it," said Tagliabue, who spoke at a national conference for youth and amateur football in Covington. "Certainly the ownership and the whole coaching staff, players, everyone's got to change when you improve as dramatically as they did. It was very positive for the fans here, the city, and very positive for the league. ... (Lewis) is great at going out into the community and talking to young people, talking to parents. His energy and his self-confidence have a big impact."

Jack Kemp talks about football with Bengals owner Mike Brown during the USA Football conference at the Marriott River Center in Covington. (Ernest Coleman photo)

Speaking at the same function, USA Football chairman and former Rep. Jack Kemp suggested Lewis was a primary reason USA Football brought its National Conference on Youth and Amateur Football to Greater Cincinnati. As a black head coach at the highest level, Lewis is setting an example for future generations of NFL leaders, Kemp said.

"He's a living testimony to what the National Football League is all about," said Kemp, who played 13 years of pro football. "It's what football is all about. You have African-American leadership at every level, and it won't be long before there's a black NFL owner."

Lewis appreciated the sentiments from Tagliabue and Kemp, as well as Bengals owner Mike Brown's message that football can "teach (children) a valuable lesson, one that people in this area understand and recognize."

"Here in Cincinnati, we had to turn around some cynicism and change the face a little bit," Lewis said. "We've done that and passed the torch to our players. It's important for them to take this role in leadership.

"It's an opportunity for us to educate young people. If you want to get to this level, you've got to have a great education."

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com

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