Many younger generations know Cris Collinsworth as an NFL broadcaster. But before he won 16 Emmy Awards, he earned three Pro Bowl selections as a Cincinnati Bengals wideout. He amassed a 417-6,698-36 receiving line across eight seasons. While Collinsworth and Al Michaels call Super Bowl 56, it will be bittersweet for a player who took part in both of the Bengals’ previous Super Bowls.
The Bengals draft Cris Collinsworth
The 1980 Bengals were 6-10. Their primary starting QB, Ken Anderson, threw only 6 touchdown passes in 12 starts. Their top receiver was TE Dan Ross, who led the team with 56 receptions and 724 yards. It marked the franchise’s third consecutive fourth-place finish in the AFC Central division.
Everything changed the following season, in part because the team drafted Collinsworth in the second round — the third wideout taken. Interestingly, Cincinnati selected David Verser with the 10th overall pick. Verser caught only 23 passes during his brief career, while his fellow rookie wide receiver quickly became one the best to wear a Bengals uniform.
Super Bowl XVI | Bengals vs. 49ers
As a rookie, Collinsworth led all Cincy receivers in catches, receiving yards, and receiving TDs, helping lead his team to its first postseason win and its first Super Bowl appearance. After finding the end zone in the opening round against the Bills, he fell flat in the AFC title game (2-28-0 receiving line).
Nevertheless, Collinsworth saved his best performance for the Super Bowl against San Francisco’s vaunted defense — which was No. 2 in the league in fewest points allowed per game. Collinsworth posted an impressive 107 yards on 5 catches.
However, his costly second-quarter fumble at the 49ers’ 8-yard line changed the entire complexion of the game. Had they scored, the Bengals would have knotted the contest at 7-7.
Instead, San Francisco marched 92 yards for the touchdown, stretching their lead to 14-0. By halftime, it was 20-0. Although Cincinnati mounted a comeback, scoring 10 points in the final two minutes to pull within 26-21, it was too little too late.
Super Bowl XXIII | Bengals vs. 49ers
The Bengals didn’t reach the Super Bowl again until the 1988 season. The game marked Collinsworth’s final NFL contest, and it also turned out to be the Bengals’ last Super Bowl appearance until today.
By this time, the once-great receiver was merely a tertiary option in an offense led by an in-his-prime Boomer Esiason, rookie sensation Ickey Woods, and 1985 first-round pick Eddie Brown, who was third in the NFL with 1,273 receiving yards. Collinsworth caught only 13 balls during that regular season and 1 in each of the Bengals’ first two playoff wins.
In a Super Bowl rematch against the 49ers, he caught 3 passes for 40 scoreless yards, with most of his damage coming on the opening drive in the third quarter to help Cincy take a 6-3 lead. That advantage stretched to 13-6 entering the fourth quarter before Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and the rest of the Niners’ dynastic personnel took over and scored the game-winning touchdown with 34 seconds remaining.
In the closing seconds, Esiason attempted 2 final throws. Both were intended for Collinsworth, who bookended the last great Bengals teams of the 1980s.
As a rookie, Collinsworth helped turn the franchise around. And when the team needed him most, he was called on to make the final plays.
Tonight, perhaps a new Cincinnati dynasty begins. Furthermore, Collinsworth will be there to call the action because no Bengals Super Bowl would be complete without him.