A.J. Green's Return as Ruler of the Jungle is Reminder of his Greatness and Impact on Bengals
A.J. Green returns to Cincinnati this weekend as the Bengals Ruler of the Jungle. The 35-year-old retired in February.
As a 5-star recruit out of Summerville High School, Green exploded onto the college scene as a Georgia Bulldog in 2008. They were 3-0 heading to Arizona State for their second-straight road game of the year. Matthew Stafford found Green early and often, as the star wide-out finished with eight receptions, 159 yards and one touchdown en route to a 27-10 win over the Sun Devils.
Green didn’t slow down, ending the season with 56 catches for 963 yards and eight scores, finishing first in the SEC in receiving yards per game at 74.1.
In his three seasons at the University of Georgia NFL scouts were already familiar with Green’s ability and talent. He joined Alabama’s Julio Jones as the two premiere wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Bengals were keen on Green before the draft thanks to his college mentor and position coach Tony Ball, who spent nine years coaching at the University of Georgia.
During the 1996 and 97’ summers Ball joined the NFL’s Minority Internship Program with the Baltimore Ravens where former Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was serving as the defensive coordinator. Middle school aged Green had just started developing his hand-eye coordination through juggling.
Lewis and Ball stayed connected after crossing paths in Baltimore. Lewis brought Ball in for an interview with the Bengals prior to the 2011 season. He didn't end up in Cincinnati, but his star wide receiver did.
“We knew a lot about A.J. prior to the draft and we thoroughly loved him going through the draft process,” Lewis told All Bengals. “He was very unassuming about everything. I remember when he came to visit I met them at dinner at Ruby’s downtown and he ordered a steak and I said, ‘Do you like steak?’ and he just said, ‘That’s what I know to order’ and that’s the simplicity of an A.J. Green.”
Cincinnati would draft Green with the fourth overall pick and while Lewis remembers the rookie receiver wowing everybody in training camp that summer, a specific play from that year sticks out for the veteran coach. The Bengals were on the road in Seattle with two minutes to go before halftime when fellow rookie Andy Dalton threw a 43-yard bomb in Green’s direction.
“His rookie year I remember we were playing in Seattle and Andy threw the ball and out of nowhere this guy comes up and gets the ball out of the sky,” Lewis said. “It was one of those things where people say ‘us or nobody’ well it was definitely us because there was nobody on that field who could get that ball but A.J. Green.”
Throughout his professional career Green had a knack for making incredible plays on a consistent basis. Almost eight years ago (Sept. 27, 2015) Green had the best game of his career, finishing with a career high 227 receiving yards on 13 catches against the Ravens. Green had two 4th quarter touchdowns in the Bengals 28-24 victory over their division rival.
The pressure of a big game never seemed to phase Green. He often shined under the brightest lights and showed leadership by example, something Bengals slot receiver Tyler Boyd remembers well.
“He always knew how to win in any coverage or leverage,” Boyd said. "He was always so strong and powerful that he could utilize his body to get into areas where the defense couldn’t play him.”
Green, a very humble and soft spoken guy, never let his ego get ahead of the work needed to put in to eventually become the elite receiver who ammassed 10,514 receiving yards on 727 catches and 70 touchdowns throughout his 12-year NFL career.
Green had enough accolades under his belt to get away with being a diva, but he would never go down that road. In 2016 before the first of his two sons were born, he shed light on the way he was raised which played a part in the humble demeanor Cincinnati saw on a daily basis.
“I’m having a little boy and that’s what I’m going to start with him. It’s about respect, morals, and the value of life, and treating people how you want to be treated," Green said prior to the 2016 season. "That’s the biggest thing I was brought up on by my parents."
The Bengals legend returns to Cincinnati this weekend to not only be the Ruler of the Jungle, but to see plenty of familiar faces.
"I love A.J. I was lucky to be with him for a year," Joe Burrow said this week. "I haven't seen him in a while, but I'm looking forward to it because he did so much here for this organization, for this city, I'm excited for the fans and for him and hopefully they give him a good response."
Green was the first wide receiver in NFL history to make it to seven-straight Pro Bowls to start his career.
“He worked his tail off, great with his teammates, and was loved by everybody in that building,” Lewis said.
Now, Green will have the opportunity watch the Bengals from a suite, as Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Burrow and Boyd face the Ravens on Sunday.
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