CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals announced Thursday that former quarterback Boomer Esiason and former wide receiver Chad Johnson are this year’s Ring of Honor inductees.
“Boomer and Chad were both exceptional players,” said Bengals President Mike Brown. “If you look at the statistics, Boomer has a long list of quarterback firsts here. And Chad was a superb athlete who was probably the quickest receiver we have had here. They could have moments when they just carried the team by themselves. Both players are very deserving of this honor.”
They join the list of other Bengals great, including Ken Anderson, Willie Anderson, Paul Brown, Isaac Curtis, Anthony Muñoz and Ken Riley.
Esiason, who played with the Bengals from 1984 to 1992 and in 1997, has a list of accomplishments with the team. He earned his first of three Pro Bowl bids in 1986, and in 1988, he had a 97.4 passer rating. He also helped the Bengals gain an AFC Championship win. In Bengals history, he ranks third for passing yards and touchdowns: 27.149 and 187, respectively.
“I will always remember I got this because of the season ticket holders,” said Esiason. “They’re the ones who have the memories. They’re the ones who spend the money to support the team. They’re the ones who know who their favorite players are and who had the biggest impact when they were there. That’s not to be taken lightly or ever taken for granted.”
Johnson played with the Bengals from 2001 to 2010, and the team said he was “one of the most electrifying players of his era.”
Within his 10 seasons with the team, he became the franchise’s all-time leading receiver with 10,783 yards. The Bengals said at the time, it was the third most in the NFL.
“It means everything,” said Johnson. “To be shown appreciation for all the years of hard work is awesome. It’s a great honor and I’m very appreciative. I’m getting my flowers now while I can smell them. To me, this honor means much more than getting a gold jacket, honestly. This is home. The fans understand the good times and the bad times, the ups and downs, and they accepted me as my true authentic self. This is a welcome home — you will always be a part of us — and this means a lot to me. A lot.”
Esiason and Johnson will be honored at the Ring of Honor induction ceremony, which takes place during halftime during the Sept. 25 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Fans can purchase tickets online or call (513) 621-8383.
