Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Corey Dillon has expressed his frustration with the franchise’s ring of honor selection process. The Bengals’ all-time leading rusher, famously known for his statement about “flipping burgers” during a contract dispute, criticized how the team honors its former players. In an interview with The Athletic, Dillon did not hold back as he voiced his concerns with the current process, which involves votes from season-ticket holders and suite holders. He argued that the selection should be made directly by the front office or a special committee, rather than being treated as a popularity contest.
According to Dillon, the focus should be on the players’ performance and statistics, rather than their popularity among fans. He believes that the team should have the final say in determining who deserves recognition in the ring of honor. Dillon expressed his dissatisfaction with the involvement of season-ticket holders, stating that many of them have not even seen half of the players perform on the field. He referred to the current selection process as “garbage” and emphasized the importance of recognizing players based on their accomplishments and contributions to the team.
A Controversial Tenure and Omission from the Ring of Honor
Dillon, a second-round pick in the 1997 draft, spent seven seasons with the Bengals. Throughout his tenure, he made three Pro Bowl appearances and consistently rushed for over 1,000 yards each season, except for his final year with the club. Despite his impressive record, the Bengals traded Dillon to the New England Patriots in exchange for a second-round pick. In an ESPN report from 2004, Dillon expressed his contentment with the trade, stating that both parties got what they wanted.
However, Dillon’s time in Cincinnati was not without controversy. In 2000, he faced an arrest for domestic violence, although the charges were dropped as part of a pretrial diversion agreement. His rocky history with the franchise did not hinder his success with the Patriots. In his first season with New England, Dillon exceeded the 1,000-yard mark, earned a Pro Bowl selection, and played a crucial role in the team’s victory in Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite his accomplishments and contributions to the Bengals, Dillon has not been included in the franchise’s ring of honor. He expressed his disappointment and called his omission “damn-near criminal.” As the Bengals’ all-time leading rusher, Dillon firmly believes that his performance warrants recognition in the ring of honor. He highlighted the fact that his rushing yardage and attempts far surpass those of any other player in the franchise’s history.
The Bengals established the ring of honor in 2021, spearheaded by team executive Elizabeth Blackburn. Currently, the group includes six members: team founder Paul Brown, quarterback Ken Anderson, cornerback Ken Riley, offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz, wide receiver Isaac Curtis, and offensive tackle Willie Anderson. Riley will be posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, making him one of the franchise’s only players with a gold jacket. Despite his impressive achievements, Dillon does not foresee being recognized by his former club anytime soon. He even suggested that players like Jon Kitna and Scott Mitchell might be honored before him.
In summary, Corey Dillon has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Cincinnati Bengals’ ring of honor selection process. He believes that the team should have more control over the selection, rather than leaving it up to season-ticket holders. Despite his outstanding career with the Bengals, Dillon has not been included in the ring of honor, a decision he finds unjust. He hopes that his contributions to the team will eventually be recognized.
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