Jim Owczarski

jowczarski@enquirer.com

The Cincinnati Bengals will formally kick off their 50th season on April 20 at Paul Brown Stadium when the organization will unveil a special logo to commemorate the anniversary.

The logo will be on display all season.

Bengals owner and president Mike Brown will speak at the event, and former players Bob Johnson – the club's first draft pick in 1968 – and Bob Trumpy are expected to also speak.

The event will be hosted by the radio team of Dan Hoard and Dave Lapham.

The team announced season ticket holders and other former players are expected to also attend the unveiling.

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Mike Brown issues statement on passing of Dan Rooney

Pittsburgh Steelers owner/chairman Dan Rooney passed away on April 13 at the age of 84. Rooney took over operation of the team in the 1960s from his father, Art, who founded the franchise. Bengals owner/president Mike Brown issued a statement on Rooney's passing:

“Dan Rooney was an eminent figure in the National Football League. Dan was universally respected by every team, and his voice was listened to by everyone associated with the NFL. Dan was a great competitor, and his teams reflected his competitive spirit and drive. For over half a century, we have been fortunate to enjoy a personal friendship with Dan, and we will miss him. Our thoughts are with his wife Patricia, his son Art, and the entire Rooney family.”

Bengals announce local pro day participants

On April 18 the Bengals will bring in about 30 draft-eligible players for their annual local "pro day" where Bengals coaches and front office executives can put them through workouts.

The club released a tentative list of players scheduled to participate, followed by each player’s college, and his high school (in parentheses) if local:

OT Jacob Bennett, Bowling Green (Lebanon HS)

C Deyshawn Bond, Cincinnati

G/OT Collin Buchanan, Miami-Ohio

WR Nate Cole, Cincinnati

TE DJ Dowdy, Cincinnati

S Zach Edwards, Cincinnati (Middletown HS)

DE Austin Gearing, Miami-Ohio (Bishop Fenwick HS)

OT Larson Graham, Duquesne (Wyoming HS)

HB Tion Green, Cincinnati

DE/LB JT Jones, Miami-Ohio

QB Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati (Columbus East HS)

DT Izaah Lunsford, Bowling Green (Shroder Paideia HS)

WR Monty Madaris, Michigan State (Moeller HS)

CB Brandon Neal, Thomas More (Lakota West HS)

LB Marcus Oliver, Indiana (Hamilton HS)

DT Alex Pace, Cincinnati

G Idarius Ray, Cincinnati

TE Keith Rucker, Georgia State (Moeller HS)

WR Sam Shisso, Miami-Ohio

WR Corey Smith, Ohio State

C Joe Spencer, Illinois (Mason HS)

WR Dwayne Stanford, Oregon (Taft HS)

DT Sione Tongamoa, Cincinnati

QB Patrick Towles, Boston College (Highlands HS)

G Dylan Wiesman, Tennessee (Colerain HS)

WR Rokeem Williams, Miami-Ohio

WR Dontre Wilson, Ohio State

LB Eric Wilson, Cincinnati

G De’Arius Young, South Alabama (Princeton HS)



Tickets for Dalton's Waiter Night go on sale

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and his wife, Jordan, will host their sixth annual Celebrity Waiter Night on Monday, June 5 at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Hall of Mirrors.

Tickets are $300 for a single standard ticket and $400 for a single premium ticket, which includes a Cincinnati Bengals Signature Series Football for celebrity waiter autographs. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres, a three-course meal, wine and beer, as well as tax, gratuity and valet service. Outside memorabilia is prohibited.

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Proceeds from the event will benefit the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation, which "seeks to provide opportunities, support and resources to seriously ill and physically challenged children and their families in the Greater Cincinnati area."

Tickets and sponsorship packages can be purchased at andydalton.org.

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