The Bengals can’t get out of their own way.
Former Cincinnati quarterback Boomer Esiason revealed Friday that the notoriously cheap franchise is reportedly asking its Ring of Honor members to pay their way to and from Cincinnati for the October inductee ceremony, as well as their hotel stay while they’re in town and any additional tickets.
“I don’t know how to take this invite … You tell me what this invite is, and we can discuss it,” an annoyed-sounding Esiason said on WFAN’s “Boomer and Gio” show before reading the email he received from the team.
“The Bengals organization is excited to celebrate our legends community and kindly invite you and a guest to join us in celebrating Dave Lapham and Lemar Parrish on Ring of Honor weekend in October, culminating at our game on Sunday, October 26, when the Bengals take on the New York Jets,” Esiason continued. “More details are below, and we kindly ask you to RSVP no later than Friday, August 22. You and a guest can receive two complimentary tickets with an opportunity to purchase an additional one, if you wish.
“If you are traveling in for the weekend from out of town, we have secured a block of rooms at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cincinnati hotel at a preferred discounted rate. Rooms are limited, so please book directly for the early and the best rate. We look forward to hosting you in The Jungle for an unforgettable weekend. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me or another guy on the staff with any questions. Thank you. And Who Dey.”
Esiason, who is one of eight living Bengals Ring of Honor members, wasn’t pleased to say the least.
“You think I’m an elitist if I say no to that?” Esiason jokingly asked his co-host.
“I mean, your name is on the stadium,” Esiason’s co-host, Greg Giannotti, replied. “And they sent out, what seems to me is an email that went to many people. You know, how many people are in a Ring of Honor now? Eight? All right, so they should be getting different emails than this generic email.”
“I’m not trying to stir that pot, but that’s insulting,” Esiason said later.
The low-spending Bengals are currently locked in a contract dispute with All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
The Hendrickson drama follows long contract standoffs with star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
