The Bengals’ postseason run has energized the entire region, and NDA has been along for the joyful ride.
Pandas have sported Bengals colors and shirts at school for the past three Fridays. More than 96 percent of students who responded to a Publications survey said they watched the AFC championship game on TV with friends or family, and nine students said they attended one of the first two playoff games.
One student, senior Lilly Sweeten, even made the 8 1/2-hour drive to Kansas City to witness the Bengals beat the Chiefs in overtime on Sunday to earn a trip to the Super Bowl. Lilly compiled her thoughts on her experience for The Gavel.
Drove 8 and a half hours just to find myself in a city that was a lot like Cincinnati: two states, Kansas and Missouri separated by a river.
Chiefs fans a lot like the Bengals fans in the sort of way that they have stuck through the good, the bad, and the ugly, all until a quarterback came to save them.
Even though we were so far from home, it felt like home. Walking down the streets on Saturday night and hearing the words “Who Dey” shouted all throughout. Eating breakfast in the hotel with Bengals fans; on any other normal trip people we probably never would have talked to; but on this trip, we had something in common, something to talk about.
Driving out to Arrowhead Stadium and seeing the huge Bengals tailgate.
Arriving 2 hours early and spending 45 minutes trying to park.
Parking and talking to the first Chiefs fans we saw, who happened to be related to one of my friends.
Walking into the stadium and realizing that today is the day.
Watching the first half thinking, there is no way we came this far to play like this.
Watching the second half thinking we are in this, we can do this.
Seeing the coin flip as it hits tails for the Chiefs to get the ball to start overtime. Thinking we lost the game.
High-fiving Bengals fans around me when we intercepted the ball.
Praying as Evan McPherson lines up for the kick.
Realizing that it went in and that the Bengals are going to the Super Bowl.
Being told by a fellow fan to soak it all in because this is rare.
Looking at my dad and him saying, “Remember this, because you can say that you were here. You saw history.”
Reminding myself that there’s one game left: The Super Bowl.
Remembering to never count the Bengals out. Who Dey.