Advertisement Cincinnati signs Shayne Graham for a day so he can retire a Bengal Graham played for the Bengals for seven seasons, from 2003-2009 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Cincinnati Bengals signed former kicker Shayne Graham to a one-day contract so he can retire as a Bengal. Graham played for the Bengals for seven seasons, from 2003-2009. He made the Pro Bowl for the Bengals in 2005. A journeyman for the rest of his career, Graham played for 10 teams throughout his nine other seasons in the NFL. Earlier this year, Graham, at the age of 39, announced his retirement from the NFL to pursue a job as a coach. After expressing that he wished to retire a Bengal, the team organized a ceremonial signing Tuesday afternoon. The Bengals sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, declaring that Graham is ceremonially “retiring as a Bengal." “Cincinnati means a lot to me, it still feels like home,” said Graham. “I had to fight and scrap for every chance to play with other teams, before the Bengals signed me. The Bengals made me feel wanted, not like they were still looking for someone with more experience or whatever. I was able to get involved in the community and make some real friendships I still have today.” Graham is Cincinnati’s career leader in field goal percentage at 86.76, having made 177 of 204 attempts. He also holds club records for highest field goal percentage in a season (91.18 in 2007) and consecutive FGs made (21 in ’07). His 779 points as a Bengal rank second behind Jim Breech (1151). He made the Pro Bowl as a Bengal in the 2005 season. Off the field, Graham was consistently among the Club’s “go-to” players for community service. His “Kicks for Kids” program provided a wide range of assistance for at-risk children in Greater Cincinnati, and he helped launch the local “Taste of the NFL” benefit that remains an annual event for the Freestore Foodbank. Shayne is a former board member of the Freestore, and he is a past Bengals team nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.