It’s Time For Corey Dillon To Be In The Bengals’ Ring Of Honor
Syndication: Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bengals recently announced the eleven finalists for induction into their Ring of Honor. One of those eleven finalists just happens to be the Bengals’ all time leading rusher.
Corey Dillon shed blood, sweat, and tears into this team during some of the darkest times.
Bengals ROH24 🧡 🖤 🏹 pic.twitter.com/p6KrbzUxUY
— Tiger24 (@Bl33dOrange) May 24, 2024
Dillon holds Bengals’ franchise records in career rushing attempts (1,865), rushing yards (8,061), 100-yard games (28), and rushing yards per game (75.3). He also ranks fourth in franchise history with 45 rushing touchdowns. He eclipsed 1,000 in every year that he was the starting running back and made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 1999-2001. The only other Bengal to make the Pro Bowl in that span was Tremaine Mack, who made it as a kick returner.
In addition, he once held the NFL record for most rushing yards in a game when, in 2000, he eviscerated the Denver Broncos’ 7th ranked rush defense for 278 yards.
October 22, 2000 – In a 31–21 victory against the Denver Broncos, Bengals Pro Bowl running back Corey Dillon captured the single-game rushing record. Dillon eclipsed Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton's 23-year single-game rushing record of 275 yards. WHAT A DAY AT PBS!… pic.twitter.com/YeuE8CKB5Q
— Bengal Jim & Friends (@bengaljims_BTR) October 22, 2023
Many fans think of Dillon as the lone bright spot during a dreadful era of Cincinnati Bengals’ football. During Dillon’s starting tenure from 1997 to 2002, the Bengals’ record was 26-70, which was the worst record in the NFL over that span. The Chargers, the next worst team, had five more wins.
However, many other fans soured on Dillon due to a rather ugly exit from Cincinnati. In 2000, he infamously stated that he’d rather “flip burgers” than return to the Bengals. He was unceremoniously traded to the Patriots after the 2003 season, where he would go on to win a Super Bowl in his first year in New England.
“I think everybody pretty much broke even,” Dillon said at the time of his trade. “We’re talking about the New England Patriots. They’re the defending Super Bowl champs. They got exactly what they wanted. I guess Cincinnati got exactly what they wanted. Corey Dillon got exactly what he wanted.”
The former Bengal famously went on a rant in 2023 about how he deserves to be in the Bengals’ Ring of Honor, calling it “damn near criminal” that he hasn’t been inducted.
“It looks like they are glossing over me,” Dillon said. “For what reason? Because I left? That’s not a good enough reason. You are telling me there’s five other guys better than me — at my position? And trust me, this is no knock on whoever is getting in, who goes in, that’s not what it is about. It’s about what is your excuse going to be? I’m pretty sure they will put f****** Jon Kitna in there before they put me (in). Matter of fact, Scott Mitchell will end up in that m*********** before I do, and that’s garbage. That’s garbage. This should be solely predicated on the authorities of the Bengals. The owner. The president. Whatever. There should be a special committee. This ain’t a popularity contest. This is football. You are going to put in somebody who is more popular than somebody who got stats?”
Dillon has reintroduced himself into Bengals’ culture. He makes regular appearances at games, tailgates, and charity events. Most recently, he participated in the Jackpot Joey Golf Outing on May 19th, where he participated in the Ickey Shuffle with the man himself.
This is the kind of shit you missed if you weeent at the @JackpotJoey9 golf event. @THE_Ickster and @coreydillon_28 busted out the Ickey shuffle about hole 16!
Make your plans for next year now!!!#WhoDey pic.twitter.com/bp9syip0jk
— Chris 🪩 🅿️ork☪️hop 🐅 🏳️⚧️🧩🏳️🌈 (@PorkChop1972) May 20, 2024
Even with the tumultuous exit and Dillon’s anger towards his exclusion from the Ring of Honor, he is nonetheless happy to be welcomed back into the Bengals community.
“They say time heals wounds,” Dillon said. “I played seven years hard for the Bengals. I’m a part of their history. They are a part of mine. I don’t dwell on the past. What happened in the past is done. If I had a magic wand to go undo some stuff I would, but I can’t. But that doesn’t mean we can’t move forward and have a better relationship. That’s how I look at it. I appreciate it for them giving me a call and inviting me back. That means a lot.”
Ring of Honor voting, which is open to suite holders and season ticket members, is open until June 7th.
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