Bengals, Chiefs AFC showdown brings fun, energy to cities

CINCINNATI — The build up to Sunday’s AFC Championship game in Kansas City is proving to be fun and games for more than just the players on the Chiefs and the Bengals.

Civic leaders, local businesses, and even the police chiefs of both cities are placing friendly wagers and making playful barbs at one another in the days leading up to the penultimate game of the NFL season.

The winner of the 6:30 p.m. showdown will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. If they make it, it would be the Bengals’ second straight appearance in the big game.

Mayor Aftab Pureval confidently announced his wager with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas Friday morning while hoisting a Bengals flag outside Cincinnati City Hall.

“I told you last year that this (Bengals) team perfectly personified our city: They are young, they are diverse, they are hungry, they’ve got that Cincinnati swagger,” Pureval said. “And they’re not just happy to be (in the AFC Championship). We belong here. And we’re going to come back year after year after year.”

What You Need To Know

• The mayors of Cincinnati and Kansas City are two of a number of political leaders making playful wagers ahead of the Bengals-Chiefs AFC Championship rematch


• Bets of regional foods, like chili and BBQ, are common, but leaders this year are using the game as a way to promote local businesses
• Even bigger than an appearance in the Super Bowl is the added energy the Bengals' success has brought to the city

Most of the bets revolve around Cincinnati’s signature style of chili, but the mayors are forgoing that tradition.

The Bengals postseason success has led to fun all over Cincinnati. Here, fans pose with a game ball delivered by the Bengals head coach following a win over the Buffalo Bills. (Photo courtesy of Matt Jacob)

Lucas told reporters on Thursday that he has a “sensitive stomach, so I’m not sure I could handle” Cincinnati chili.

Instead, Pureval is putting up a six-pack of Rhinegeist beer. In return, Kansas City agreed to send some of its “world-famous Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque BBQ,” Lucas said. They’ll also send some Kansas City gear from a local brand called Charlie Hustle, which also happens to be the nickname of Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose.

“(Lucas) doesn’t have that AFC North fortitude, I get that, so we’re gonna send him a six-pack of Rhinegeist beer,” Pureval taunted. “If that’s too much for his sensitive constitution, we’ll send them a martini. That seems more his speed.”

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge is offering to send Kansas City Police Chief Stacy Graves a case of Skyline Chili if her team wins. Both women have been in the spotlight lately because they are the first females to lead their respective departments.

Even members of Congress are getting in on the action. U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, has wagers with U.S. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., and Sharice Davids, D-Kan.

If the Bengals beat the Chiefs, Landsman is sending his Congressional colleagues some of Cincinnati’s cinnamon-tinged chili sauce along with Bengals jerseys to wear in Washington. 

If the Chiefs win, Landman has agreed to wear a Chiefs jersey. He’ll also get some of Kansas City’s famous barbecue.

“I’m looking forward to my Kansas City colleagues donning the orange and black around the halls of the U.S. Capitol while they eat some Skyline Chili next week,” Landsman said.

Cleaver is undaunted.

“As a cosponsor of the Big Cat Public Safety Act that passed into law last Congress, I believe fervently in protecting all kinds of majestic big cats — but this weekend I’m making an exception for the Bengals,” Cleaver joked.

Davids noted that Kansas City has the best team, the best fans, and the best BBQ.

“(It’s) something Rep. Landsman is about to learn,” she said. “I appreciate his confidence, but it takes more than confidence to win a Super Bowl. We would know.”

Means Cameron, the owner of Cincinnati’s BlaCk OWned Outerwear, showed off a reversible bomber jacket that was a collaboration between his company and the Bengals.

“The mayor could use some Cincinnati swagger, because the clothing he bet me was really quite tired,” Pureval said, before poking fun at Lucas’ physical stature.

“I love him, but he’s kind of petite,” said Pureval. Cameron laughingly said he planned to send Lucas an “extra small.”

Lucas doesn’t seem to mind the trash talking, though.

“It’s on,” Lucas said. “It’s going to be a very big win this weekend.”

In the last few days, Pureval has referred to Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium as “Burrow-head Stadium,” an allusion to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow having a 3-0 head-to-head record against the Chiefs and star signal-caller Patrick Mahomes during his career.

Bengals players pose for a photo in BlaCk OWned Outerwear designs. (Photo courtesy of BlaCk OWned Outerwear)

“The funny thing about Cincinnati is, I don’t think Cincinnati had (Bengals) fans before 2020,” Lucas said in response to Pureval’s renaming of Kansas City’s historic stadium.

Win or lose, the postseason runs have benefitted both cities.

The Chiefs, who’ve been to five straight AFC Championships, should bring in about $15 million to Kansas City this weekend because the game is being played there, Lucas said. Had the Bills defeated the Bengals last week, the game would have been at a neutral site in Atlanta because of a change in playoff format.

When the Bengals went to the Super Bowl last season, Cincinnati received millions of dollars in publicity last year, according to the Cincinnati Experience, a marketing and tourism firm. Pureval wouldn’t be surprised if the city surpasses that amount this season.

“It’s only good news for our local economy,” Pureval said, adding that the Bengals have brought so “much energy, so much momentum,” to the city. 

Having Bengals players model his various signature“Stripes Don’t Come Easy” items in promo shoots and to regular season games means a lot, Cameron said, but the winning has just “ignited everything.”

“We’re all Bengals fans, but it’s a lot easier and more fun to get behind something when you’re winning because it feels good,” he said.

Joining Pureval for the flag-raising at City Hall on Friday morning were Bengals representatives Caroline Blackburn and Elizabeth Blackburn, team employees and relatives of club owner Mike Brown.

Pureval appreciated their appearance, but it was the crowd of a few dozen city employees decked out in orange and black that inspired him the most, he said.

When the flag was raised, it was only about 30 degrees. That didn’t deter the enthusiastic crowd from chanting “Who Dey” and celebrating throughout the 30-minute pep rally.

“Our Bengals have once again represented us with unmatched confidence and swagger,” Pureval said. “Fans have rallied behind this team all year, and we’re ready to bring all our energy to these final weeks.”