Cincinnati Bengals to Honor Legendary Player in 2024 Despite Shaky Relationship

Despite being the first team to take a chance on legendary running back Corey Dillon with the No. 43 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals were not in Dillon’s good graces by the end of his career.

Dillon played for the Bengals from 1997 to 2003 but expressed a desire to move on from the organization after some of the worst years in Bengals history. Now, Dillon will be honored by Cincinnati during the upcoming 2024 season.

Corey Dillon will be a member of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ring of Honor

Along with fellow Bengals legend defensive lineman Tim Krumrie, Dillon will be inducted into the Bengals’ Ring of Honor on Sept. 23.

Dillon was selected to three Pro Bowls during his time with the Bengals and he was nearly voted the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1997 as he finished in second place. He took a 40-year-old rookie rushing record from Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown with a 246-yard performance in his fourth NFL start en route to becoming the Bengals’ all-time leading rusher.

Corey Dillon highlights on repeat. pic.twitter.com/6P67o8E3yK

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 18, 2024

Dillon never failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark in a season with the Bengals until his last season with the organization in 2003 when he only played in 11 games. Dillon eclipsed 1,300 yards on the ground in each of the three seasons before that. He even caught up to all-time great Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton with a 278-yard performance, which he spoke about in a Bengals.com article.

“I believe some things are not meant to be touched. You know what I mean?” Dillon says of the Payton game. “And that was one of them and I’m blessed to actually surpass that. That was kind of overwhelming.”

Dillon returned with his most productive season in 2004, but the New England Patriots utilized his 1,635-yard effort instead.

Corey Dillon and the Cincinnati Bengals ended on poor terms

Dillon left the Bengals after vocally expressing discontent with Cincinnati owner Mike Brown. Brown, who is a notoriously cheap owner, had many Bengals fans and players alike thinking there was no hope for the future of the organization.

The Bengals never had a winning season with Dillon in the backfield. Their best season with Dillon, 2003, came when Dillon only played in 11 games and finished with just over 500 yards on the ground.

After going 9-7 two years after a Super Bowl loss in 1988, the Bengals didn’t see another winning season until 2005. Dillon ended his career with the Bengals by throwing his gear into the stands and requesting a trade.

Corey Dillon ended his Bengals career by throwing his stuff into the stands and asking for a trade. Now he’s headed into the team’s Ring of Honor. Story: https://t.co/M9uY6uGDHR pic.twitter.com/pNqLxio2sp

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) July 18, 2024

Dillon immediately saw success with the Patriots in 2004 as he had his most productive career year paired with a Super Bowl victory.

Dillon’s vocal discontent for Brown continued for years after he departed from the organization. He criticized their Ring of Honor selection as recently as 2021, telling The Athletic that his omission was “damn-near criminal.”

Despite an exit that left him on bad terms with the Bengals, Dillon seemed incredibly grateful for his selection in an article from ESPN.

“We had a beautiful conversation, man,” Dillon said. “It was long time coming. I’ll say that much.”

Fans thought Corey Dillon deserved a spot in the Ring of Honor despite how his time with the Cincinnati Bengals ended

Despite the way Dillon left the organization, many fans still recognized his greatness and thought he deserved to be honored by Cincinnati.

While it’s never easy watching one of the best players on your team request to play elsewhere, many fans had a hard time blaming Dillon for his gripes with Brown and the front office as they felt the same way.

Still, there are many fans who don’t think Dillon should be honored due to how he left the organization. Many fans point out other names that they think are more deserving of the honor because of the way they treated the organization and the city of Cincinnati.\

There you go @coreydillon_28! Congratulations man! Well deserved

— Updog Sports Talk (@UpdogSportsTalk) July 18, 2024

Corey going to throw his jacket in the stands? You know, just like the old days? lol

— Bengals_Mane (@Bengals_Mane) July 18, 2024

278

— David Speakman (@DavidSp11983858) July 18, 2024

So the dude who threw his uniform in the crowd and said he was “Giddy” to leave Cincinnati igetting in ?Why?His ego doesn’t need to be stroked anymore he doesn’t deserve to be in the ring of honor next to people who truly cared about the fans. Willie Anderson comes to mind

— J0shA29 (@JoshuaArrick) July 18, 2024

I’d have been fine if you had never inducted Corey Dillon. I’d have certainly been fine if you hadn’t inducted him before the maybe 100 other players who deserve it. He’s not even the first RB I’d have inducted. Much less guys like Montoya, Reggie Williams, Ross Browner. Come on.

— Meisterbuerger (@meisterbuerger) July 18, 2024

@coreydillon_28 Who Dey CD congrats man one of the main reasons I became a bengals fan one of the best to ever do it, well deserved watch you every Monday With Ice as well !

— Dustin Begley (@DustinBegley5) July 18, 2024

Get More NFL and College Football Content

For more news and trends in the college football world, click here or follow me on Twitter @KusleikaAndrew.