Bama in the NFL: Who has Most Starts with Cincinnati Bengals?
If there's a Cincinnati Bengals fan in your life, here's a trivia question that might catch him or her a little by surprise: Of all the former Alabama Crimson Tide players who have suited up in the stripes over the years, only one has started 100-plus games for the franchise. Can you name him?
For a little perspective, Jonah Williams, who is expected to be at right tackle for his contract season (and asked to be traded after the team signed Orlando Brown Jr. to play left tackle during the offseason), has started 42 games since being a first-round selection in 2019.
We'll give you a hint, that it's not one of the players from the Nick Saban era at Alabama, although Andre Smith came very close during his three stints with the Bengals (2009-15, 2016, 2018-19).
The offensive lineman played in 121 games during his career that went from 2009-21, and included short stints with three other teams. Combined, he made 98 career starts.
Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who like Smith was a first-round draft pick, also had a lengthy career with the Bengals (2012-19). Of his 119 career games, as he also spent time with other teams (the Cardinals and 49ers), he played 99 with Cincinnati, including 67 starts.
Overall, he was credited with 365 career tackles, 13 interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three sacks, two defensive touchdowns and one forced fumble.
That leaves defensive end John Copeland. The first-round selection was with the Bengals from 1993-2000, during which he played in 107 regular season games, and started 102.
Overall, he had 324 tackles, 24 sacks, nine forced fumbles, three interceptions and a touchdown on a fumble recovery. Copeland also never played a down for another NFL team.
Bama in the NFL: Cincinnati Bengals
The Franchise
American Football Conference
North Division
Team Colors: Black, Orange and White
Founded: 1967
Stadium: Paycor Stadium (capacity 65,515)
Playing Surface: Twenty-Four/Seven synthetic turf system
Training Camp: Paycor Stadium
All-Time Alabama Players
Crimson TIde Players Drafted
Super Bowl Appearances
Emmanuel King, Super Bowl XXIII, Jan. 22, 1989
King was a reserve linebackers for the Bengals, and like so many others could only watch the 92-yard winning touchdown drive by the 49ers. Receiver John Taylor hauled in a 10-yard strike from quarterback Joe Montana with 34 seconds remaining for the 20-16 victory.
Damion Square and Jonah Williams, Super Bowl LVI, Feb. 13, 2022
Williams was the starting left tackle for the Bengals, who had their hands full with the Rams' pass rush. Regardless, the game came down to a Cooper Kupp 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford with 1:25 remaining for the 23-20 victory.
Mark J. Rebila / USA Today Sports
Notable Awards/Honors
Crimson Tide NFL Team Rundown: Cincinnati Bengals
In conjunction with our revamped Bama in the NFL Database, this is the seventh story in a series examining the team-by-team history of Alabama's former players in the NFL.
AFC
NFC
See Also
Bama in the NFL: The Ultimate Crimson Tide Database
Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team
