Bengals Welcome Retired Standout RB Giovani Bernard Back For Unique Opportunity

The Bengals and their fans may know Giovani Bernard from his days on the gridiron. But the retired running back may now be known among Cincinnati fans for something other than football, thanks to his former team.

A highly anticipated Sunday night clash with the Bills in Week 9 provided the Bengals with a unique opportunity to welcome back Bernard, who played in Cincinnati from 2013 to 2020 and retired in 2022, back to the place where he played eight of his 10 NFL seasons.

Known as a dual-threat running back during his playing days, Bernard showed off a different set of skills as a team photographer for Cincy’s 24–18 primetime win over Buffalo.

Unlike other former franchise standouts, Bernard’s return lacked any notable fanfare. However, the Bengals’ social media team made sure to shout the fan favorite out by posting a video clip prior to kickoff. To make the moment more special, the video showed Bernard reuniting with quarterback Joe Burrow, who was a rookie during the running back’s last year with Cincinnati.

Drafted in the second round (37th overall) in 2013, Bernard made the most of his time with the Bengals, finishing his eight-year tenure with 3,697 rushing yards, 2,867 receiving yards and 33 total touchdowns. Now he can say he left his mark in another capacity, sporting an official NFL photographer’s vest and snapping some impressive images. 

To see the best of Bernard’s photos from Sunday’s game, click here.