What If? Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have had one of the most unique helmets in the history of the NFL. The overall tiger stripe design was a revolutionary look when it was introduced and is still one of the most innovative around. However, the striped helmet has now been around for nearly 30 years! What if, the Cincinnati Bengals were to change the look of these helmets? What directions could the team go to give them a fresh new look to replace the 30 year old striped dome? First, it is very unlikely to ever see this happening, because the current helmet is embossed into the seatbacks at Paul Brown Stadium, but it would be fun to take a look at possible options to give the Bengals a new look.

First, it would be interesting to see what the team would look like with a primarily black helmet. One option that would be easy to implement would be to create a new version of the current one, but change the base color to black and only have the hint of black striping over the top. This would give the helmet a meaner look, but would keep the striped design in place, thus eliminating the need to replace seats at Paul Brown Stadium.

Another way to go would be to make the Bengals' helmets look more like those of traditional NFL teams. This could be achieved by placing the team's "B" logo on the side of a solid black helmet. The "B" would make a nice helmet logo and give the team a completely new look, with some tiger stripes thrown in for good measure. Of course, this look would also work with an orange background as well.

Since the team is known for their helmet design being outside the mainstream, what if you were to take the team's jumping tiger mascot and put it on each side of the helmet in a unique position. Placing the tiger on this way and this large would give the team another out of the ordinary look like no other team.

Another option for a black Bengals helmet would be to use the tiger face as a main logo on the side of a solid black helmet. Again, this would be much more similar to the traditional NFL type design.

Any of these new helmet designs could easily be paired up with the team's current uniforms, providing the Bengals with a new, but familiar look. 

As I have written before about the Bengals, I am a huge fan of their old school simple look from the 1960's and 70's. What if you could bring back some of that old school flair with a modern twist? Start with the helmet. By taking the team's more modern logo font and giving it a bit of an arch, you create a modern retro version of the old style Bengals helmet. This design utilizes the team's current font, but brings back all of the greatness of the team's original helmet.

To go along with the helmets, you could give the team's jerseys a bit of a back to the future feel as well. How about you simplify the jersey down to the way they were back in the 1970's, but update the sleeve stripes in a way that pays tribute to the way they were in the past. You could give the stripes some modern flair that also incorporates some of the more recent striped look of today? Put the two together and you have a modern looking return to the past for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Comments

[marc]

Jim, those modern retro jerseys and helmets are AWESOME!!!!!!! They look like Kenny Anderson could walk right in and slip 'em on. Of all the other helmets, I think the B logo on the black helmet is strongest. Excellent work, sir!

[Erik D.]

I like the jersey idea. I actually think they should stick with the helmets they have. They're simple and classic. I think the helmet with the "BENGALS" across it makes it too "Div. II college football". If they were to go with an alternate helmet, I think the "tiger-head" logo on the black helmet would look cool.

[marc]

here's a couple more cents...

i love the simplicity of the old school jersey redesign. incorporating the original bengal look with the current look makes it clean and concise. the only thing i might change with that set is making the facemask white (though the grey gives it that cool late 60s/early 70s look).

what about pants? my opinion would be white pants (black belt) for both home and away with the simple alternating direction three-stripe (black - orange - black) look you've got going on the sleeves.

FYI: I do like the tiger head on the black helmet, only a tad larger and facing toward the facemask. again... excellent work!

[Dan]

retro BENGALS uni would be great-- but how about replacing the alternate Orange Jersies with these throwbacks and have the team wear them twice a season. That would be enough of a fix for me.

[Jim Ransdell]

This article has created quite a buzz today. I want everyone to know that the intent behind this article is not to look poorly on the Bengals current uniform set. I like the Bengals uniforms as they are and still like the striped helmet.

This was just "what if" creative exercise, sort of like your Marvel Comics when you were a kid, "What if: Spiderman had Iron Man's powers". At the end of the day, Spidey still had his normal powers.

So, don't think I'm trashing the current uniforms, just taking a shot into the world of "what if" and "what could be".

[Brian Clark]

I've always wondered what the Bengals would look like with a burnt orange look (similar to Texas) instead of pumpkin orange.

[Jon Schneider]

Interesting exploration. There is something nice about the retro look. My main argument against updating any of the helmets is the lack of inspiring Bengals artwork. The B is really quite lame - it is not aggressive and the stripes seem like an after thought. The full tiger has always seemed very awkward to me as well - even more so when applied to the helmet. The best option is the tiger head, but IMHO, it could never trump the traditional striped helmet.

Until the Bengals give you something to work with, you'd do better exploring options outside their uninspired/pedestrian artwork.

[john]

I am going to follow up Brian's post about the burnt orange. I have said for the last few years that a darker, 'burnt' orange look would be awesome. Not so much similar to Texas but more of an orange with black going through it.

[William Robert]

In this article have full explanation of Bengals helmets.That days Bengals helmets have in different shape and more sharp strip.
The most unique helmets in the history of the NFL.

[Tom]

Looks like the shell game to me.

[Johnny Griswold]

Wow! I love the helmets with the tigers on them. Nice job.

[Jim Ransdell]

Johnny, thanks.
You have no idea how much of an uproar this caused with the Bengals Nation.

[joe]

you can't take the stripes off the helmet. The B looks retardid. Do what you want with the jersey but the helmet don't mess with.

[Daniel J Leonard]

Jim,
I hail from the hometown of the artist who designed the striped BENGAL helmet, Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
Fortunate to grow up in that town, 12 miles north of Pittsburgh with an Aunt who was a Steeler season ticket holder, the Bengals were just that annoying AFC Central opponent who'd occasionally upset the Steelers and make it look like there'd be a contender for the crown.
I was a fan of the original arched BENGALS helmet but once the stripes were introduced, hey, there's never really been one as stylish and unique.
Your variations of the uniform are great, but let's stay away from perfection, the helmet.
Black, with the striped 'B',really? Don't we already have enough band-wagon jumpers to black? As clean as your striped 'B' design is, from a distance, it would be as clear as the sad ol' Jaguar on Jacksonville's helmet.
I did always feel sorry for Kenny Anderson as those Steel Curtain bullies were pounding him back in the day.

[Dean Mohay]

They should go with a black helmet with either the "B" or the tiger head on the side with a narrow orange stripe down the middle but make the stripe resemble the current helmet (an orange stripe with little black tiger stripes running horizontally) The helmet now is old and played out man!