Cincinnati Bengals season ticket holders apparently have long memories, as they have just elected tight end Bob Trumpy and running back James Brooks to be the latest members of the team’s Ring of Honor.
As Geoff Hobson wrote in his article on their selections on Bengals.com, Trumpy was selected in the 12th round of the 1968 Draft, which also happened to be the Bengals’ inaugural
season. He was only 215 pounds, but he made the most of his frame with his tremendous receiving ability, grabbing 216 passes in his first six seasons.
“He was a top-level player,” Bengals owner Mike Brown said of Trumpy as reported in Hobson’s article. “He had a long stride. He had good hands. Because the safeties couldn’t stay with him, he became a productive downfield threat for us.”
Sadly, Trumpy passed away last November at the age of 80, though his memory will continue to live on.
Brooks, meanwhile, was acquired from the San Diego Chargers in 1984 via trade. Though only 5’ 10” and 180 pounds, he put up the fifth most rushing yards and fifth most receiving yards of any NFL running back for Cincinnati in the eight seasons that followed.
The running back was also fearless in his pass blocking. “He didn’t care how big the pass rusher was,” said Brown. “He went right into him and popped him.”
You can read more about both Bengals legends and watch high-quality videos of their careers here in Hobson’s article.
