The Cincinnati Bengals sit at 3-6 through their first nine game of the season. Injuries and close loses have plagued their season. If they are going to make a playoff push, it needs to start sooner rather than later. Now, the team has a little extra motivation.
The team announced with deep sorrow the passing of Bob Trumpy, the franchise’s original tight end and a trailblazing voice in sports broadcasting. Trumpy, 80, died peacefully at his home with family at his side.
A Career That Spanned Two Chapters
Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Cincinnati Bengals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Cincinnati Bengals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Trumpy’s impact on the Bengals—and the NFL at large—is profound:
He was one of the Bengals’ first draft picks when the team entered the American Football League in 1968. ESPN.com+2Cincinnati Bengals+2
During his 10-year career (1968-1977) in Cincinnati, he amassed 298 receptions, 4,600 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns. ESPN.com+1
Notably, he remains the only player in Bengals history to earn Pro Bowl honors in both the AFL and NFL eras. ESPN.com+1
After retiring from playing, Trumpy launched a distinguished broadcasting career, working with NBC Sports and calling Super Bowls, the Ryder Cup and the Olympics. Awful Announcing+1
In 2014, he was honored with the Pete Rozelle Radio‑Television Award by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his lifetime contributions to the sport as a broadcaster. newsweek.com+1
Tributes From the Bengals Organization
Bob Trumpy played 10 NFL seasons, all with the Cincinnati Bengals, catching 298 passes for 4,600 yards and 35 touchdowns.Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Trumpy played 10 NFL seasons, all with the Cincinnati Bengals, catching 298 passes for 4,600 yards and 35 touchdowns. Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Bengals President Mike Brown issued a heartfelt statement:
“I’ve known Bob since we started here and he had an extraordinary career as both a player and a broadcaster… He was an exceptional and rare tight end who could get downfield and split zone coverages. Speed was his hallmark.” ESPN.com+1
He added:
Why His Legacy Matters
Trumpy’s career touched two major areas of football: performance on the field and voice in the broadcast booth. Here’s how his influence stands out:
As a player, he helped redefine the tight end position, posting yards per catch and touchdown totals that still rank among the best in Bengals history.
As a broadcaster, his voice became one of the most recognizable in NFL media, and he set the standard for athlete-turned-media-professional transitions.
His life reminds fans and players alike that the impact of a football career can extend far beyond Sundays in the stadium—it can shape narratives, culture and the very way the game is experienced.
Final Reflections
The Bengals will remember Bob Trumpy not just as a pioneer on the field, but as a legend whose voice resonated for millions. His contributions enriched the game and left an indelible mark on the franchise and the sport.
For fans, teammates, broadcasters and the entire football community: we mourn his passing and celebrate his legacy.
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