George Herron
cjherron
pacmanxu
slapshot66
The Bengal No One Noticed.
Posted by George Herron on April 23, 2009
World traveler and Bengal linebacker Dhani Jones is back! What’s that, you
If Dhani travels the globe, but no one sees it, did it really happen?
never knew he was gone? Oh you must live in Cincinnati. Unless you are a huge sports enthusiast or follow the Bengals too closely you might not have know that Dhani Jones just spent a few months traveling abroad, playing lesser know (to Americans) world sports.
Dhani Tackles the Globe, was the name of the Show and it was on the Travel Channel. Dhani was involved in a few things I had heard of and many I had not, and I am sure that until this trip many that he had not either. But what a cool idea and what a great guy to do it! Here are the list of activities that he was involved in:
- Muay Thai in Thailand
- Schwingen in Switzerland
- Rugby in England
- Dragon Boat Racing in Singapore (no caning involved)
- Pelota in the Basque region of Spain
- Hurling in Ireland (not throwing up)
- Surf Life Saving in Australia
- Pradal Serey in Cambodia
- Sailing in New Zealand (Peter Jackson guest filming)
- Sambo in Russia (Vodka drinking games would have been better)
Pretty cool idea huh? To bad no one in Cincinnati knew it was going on! What better of an idea to rally behind than a Bengal player that is down to Earth, real, and personable and loves to be active in the outside world.
For a team that is in need of bigger P.R. make over than Britney Spears you would think that the Bengals and Cincinnati would pimp this to every corner of the city the could. Instead it was the best kept secret in town. The cover up of this great story makes you wonder if Cincinnati city council worked on the Warren Commisson.
Funny enough, I bet everyone heard that Leon Hall was busted for an O.V.I. recently. And why not, just one more case where a Bengals is in trouble with the law. One more guy to add to the already too long list. One more joke that can be made about the already deemed laughing stock of the league, your Cincinnati Bengals.
Leon Hall, all over the local and national news. Dhani Jones, nothing. it is sad enough that the city of Cincinnati and the Bengals litterally did nothing to promote Dhani and his quest, but to sensationalize Leon and his little mistake, that would be nothing anywhere but here, is the most confusing.
Dhani’s story could have been inspirational, could have shown the Bengals in a new light, could have help take away the giant punching bag that resides in the middle of Paul Brown Stadium. But, instead it remains the best kept secret in Cincinnati.
Something like this always reminds me of the quote (allegedly)by Mark Twain, “When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati, because it’s always twenty years behind the times.”
Good news is that maybe we will see a billboard or two about the show in 2040. Dhani should be either coaching linebackers somewhere, in a booth, or still traveling the world. Who knows he is a different cat, and I like that. The Bengals will be in a new city because in about 15 years Mike Brown will again threaten to move the team if a new stadium is not built and Bengals fans will not be fooled twice. They will have also had only one more winning season in that span. Can you say L.A. Bengals?
I am sorry Dhani that Cincinnati did not support you more, you are a good guy and deserve better. I hope you at least had fun making the show!
Jesy said
that is super cool! first, i had never heard of this bengal and therefore (2nd) did not know that he was gone. you are absolutely correct in that this could have been a bengal’s marketer dream but they have dropped the ball. Interesting article!
Hoopes said
I knew who he was for the Bengals, and I had met him not long after he became a Bengals player at Kenwood mall, and he really is down to Earth, and a nice guy. I didn’t know it was him though in the show until I came across the first episode and saw him. I didn’t put it together that Dhani is Dhani Jones, because usually the only shows you can catch Bengals players on is Cops, Gangland, and sometimes (I think 2 games last year) you could see them on CBS last year. Great show though, good to see a Bengals player that challenges himself on and off the field.
grhii said
Well said Hoopes, I just wish Cincinnati would have supported him more!