“WHO DEYTON,” Ky. — Welcome to “Who Deyton,” Kentucky. Mayor Ben Baker said the city is back to show support for the Cincinnati Bengals. For non-football fans who aren’t aware, the Bengals’ slogan is “Who Dey” and “Who Deyton” is a play on the fan-favorite saying.
“We are so lucky to have the name Dayton, so we can play on words and make it ‘Who Deyton,’” Baker said.
A proclamation allowed the city to be “Who Deyton” for the time being. Baker said the inspiration hit last year when the Bengals were making their way to Super Bowl LVI.
“As long as we’re in the playoffs, we are ‘Who Deyton.’ If we’re not in the playoffs, we are Dayton, Kentucky.”
“Who Deyton” will be cheering the Bengals Sunday, Jan. 22 as they take on the Buffalo Bills. The teams are meeting 20 days after Damar Hamlin was seriously injured in Cincinnati.
Mayor Baker has been Bengals fan for years and thinks the athletes on this year’s team are talented.
“The new leadership with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, his good friend and all, and the new team they’ve built together — watching the new Cincinnati Bengals is just an exciting time,” he said.
Even though the Bengals are Cincinnati’s team, they have a history in Kentucky.
“Back in 1937, the Cincinnati Bengals had their very first practice game right here in the city of Dayton and we had a high school teacher who was a linebacker for the 1937 Bengals,” Baker said.
That makes the name change each time the Bengals head to the playoffs a little more special. Baker said he hopes the Bengals continue to do well in upcoming seasons so they can continue going from Dayton to “Who Deyton” each year.
