CINCINNATI – No matter where in the country the Bengals are playing, as the clock ticks down to game time, Phil Amrein is almost always there, sporting his orange and black striped polo, showing off his “lucky tiger sneakers” and waving his banner to represent the “Jungle Mobile Unit.”
What You Need To Know
- Phil Amrein is the 2022 Bengals Fan of the Year
- His wife nominated him after decades of dedication to the team
- Amrein will get a free trip to Super Bowl LVII
- He will compete against other teams’ nominees for NFL Fan of the Year
Always at his side is his biggest fan, his wife Shelley Amrein. And after decades of watching his dedication and loyalty to the team, she decided it was time he earned the title “Bengals Fan of the Year.”
Each of the 32 NFL teams makes their pick, based on commitment to the franchise and nomination letters from friends and family. The fans then compete for the ultimate title NFL Fan of the Year.
For Amrein, the selection came as a surprise. In early November, he said, the Bengals invited him to Paycor Stadium to film what they claimed would be a Christmas promotion.
“They had me hook, line and sinker,” Amrein said. “I was blown away.”
After a few carols and exchanging gifts with mascot Who Dey, Coach Zac Taylor interrupted the ruse to read a letter from Amrein’s wife.
A superfan and bilingual Christmas caroler all in one 😂
Congrats to Phil Amrein for being selected as our 2022 Fan of the Year! pic.twitter.com/s8JZdGEi2y
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 14, 2022
“I completely lost it,” Amrein said.
Taylor then presented Amrein with a game ball, announcing his new title, “Bengals Fan of the Year.”
“It’s my pride and joy,” the lifelong memorabilia collector said. “It’s one I can’t buy.”
Growing up on Cincinnati’s west side, Amrein’s followed the Bengals for as long as he can remember. His first game cemented his ascent into super fandom.
“We did not win that day, but it was an exciting day,” he said. “My grandfather took me and I was hooked.”
Courtesy: Phil Amrein
In the years since, he’s become a decades-long season ticket holder and an avid traveler. So far, he’s attended more than 100 away games.
“This Sunday we’re going to Pittsburgh for 107,” Amrein said.
In that time, Amrein’s made friends across the country and spread the gospel of Cincinnati and its Bengals. Everywhere he goes, Amrein said, he wants to make sure everyone knows how much he loves his team and his city.
Courtesy: Phil Amrein
“We were down in Dallas and the Bengals were 2-14 and a guy comes up to me and says, ‘Are you local?’” he said. “And I say, ‘No, we’re from Cincinnati,’ and he says, ‘You follow this bad team?’ I go, ‘There’s only 32 of them in the world and our hometown has one.’”
Last season, Amrein said it was a dream come true following the Bengals all the way to the Super Bowl, but that’s not why he’s a fan.
“I love my team, win or lose, because we’re from Cincinnati,” he said.
As fan of the year, Amrein gets a free trip to Super Bowl LVII, where he hopes his team will get a second chance at the title.
At the same time, Amrein’s hoping to shine an even bigger spotlight on his hometown by bringing home the ultimate title of Fan of the Year.
“Our Cincinnati fans deserve it,” he said.
Anyone can vote for their favorite fan of the year nominee at this link.
