Roaring Back
Though the Bengals end preseason play on Sunday, Aug. 29, it will nevertheless be a day of new beginnings.
As fans head to Paul Brown Stadium this season, looking forward to that first beer and first win, they will also see some changes at for gameday.
Before the game, fans can start their celebration at the new Jungle Zone on the lawn of The Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center across from Paul Brown Stadium. The Jungle Zone opens at 2 p.m. and features music, food, drinks and games for all ages. Fans can meet members of the Stripes Squad and watch the Ben-Gals perform before heading over to the game.
One important thing fans also need to know is that as of Aug. 29, Paul Brown Stadium is cashless. All purchases in the stadium must be made using a credit card, debit card or mobile payment. This includes all purchases, from the concession stands to retail locations. Roaming vendors will have mobile credit card devices to process cashless payments.
If you do bring cash, PBS has cash-to-card kiosks that can transfer cash to a card (with no fees) which can be used anywhere, not just at the stadium.
The most welcome development at PBS on Sunday will no doubt be the return of Joe Burrow. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expects Burrow to take the field for what the coach describes as a “very limited number of snaps.”
“It will be good to get him out there in front of the home crowd in a very similar environment to week one in terms of being at home, time of day,” Taylor said. “It will be good to get guys next to each other in the huddle with the coaches on the field and the fans cheering them on.”
Burrow’s return is timed perfectly with the Bengals’ new pregame ritual, the Ruler of The Jungle ceremony. Though kickoff is at 4 p.m., fans are asked to be in their seats by 3:45 p.m. to participate in what is set to become a new tradition.
From a jungle-themed throne, the Ruler of The Jungle will lead the crowd in the “Who Dey” chant right before kickoff to create a more energetic gameday environment.
The inaugural Ruler of The Jungle will be James “JB” Brown. A fan since 1968, Brown was well known by early Bengal player, even gaining the attention Paul Brown himself. Brown rewarded his loyalty by welcoming him inside the locker room. JB has been to nearly every Bengals home game and has led the team onto the field for many years.