When Did The Bengals Join The NFL?
The Cincinnati Bengals joined the NFL in 1968 as an expansion team. The Bengals have made two Super Bowl appearances, but have yet to win a championship.
The Bengals Join the NFL
On July 26, 1966, an ownership group led by Paul Brown agreed to join the NFL as an expansion team. The Brown family has owned the Bengals since their inception. The team began play in 1968 as a member of the American Football League (AFL). In 1970, the Bengals merged with the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL merger.
The First Season
The Bengals joined the American Football League (AFL) as an expansion team in 1968. This was the first season for the AFL. The team’s first home game was against the Denver Broncos. The Bengals won that game 34-21.
The First Game
The Bengals played their first game on September 16, 1968, against the San Diego Chargers. TheChargers won the game by a score of 21-0.The Bengals’ first touchdown came on October 6, 1968, when wide receiver Sammy Baugh caught a pass from quarterback Virgil Carter in the end zone.
The First Win
On September 16, 1968 the Bengals recorded their first win in franchise history against the Baltimore Colts. The game was a close one, with the Bengals coming out on top by a score of 24-21. This was also the first time that the Bengals had ever worn their now-signature black and orange jerseys.
