When the NFL announced a regular‑season game in Madrid, a handful of Cincinnati Bengals enthusiasts marked the date on their calendars as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime pilgrimage. On Sunday, they boarded a flight to Spain, eager to combine football fandom with a taste of European culture.
Fans turn Madrid into a “Who Dey” showcase
From the moment they arrived, the group—made up of season‑ticket holders, families, and long‑time travelers—filled the streets with orange and black. “Just the culture and getting to experience a different part of the world,” said fan Jenn Waterman, who has visited every NFL stadium and previously traveled to London for a Bengals game.
Waterman, along with fellow fans Shelonda Sealey, Candace Greene, and Catricia Payne, described the trip as “once in a lifetime” and a chance to make history for both the Bengals players and their own friendships. “History being made on the Bengals football players and on our family friendship,” Sealey added.
Family ties and community spirit
Many attendees emphasized the family aspect of the journey. Terry Cox, who makes it a point to attend at least one away game each season, called the experience “go big or go home.” Ronda Berry traveled with her son Drake, noting that seeing fellow Cincinnatians in a foreign market felt like a homecoming.
Julie Fox, part of a 250‑person group called “Fans of Cincy,” said she couldn’t wait to sit just twenty rows from the end zone. “It’s great to share the world with our little bit of Cincinnati,” she said.
Madrid welcomes the Bengals faithful
Local residents and businesses in Madrid embraced the visiting fans. Pam Volz and Mary Bush praised the camaraderie they observed at the airport and on the plane, while Terry Cox felt a “closeness with the team itself” as the city’s streets filled with chants of “Who Dey!”
Even players joined the celebration. Brooke Theis ran into Tee Higgins, and fans reported friendly encounters with Amarius Mims, who shared French fries with a group of Cincinnati supporters.
Connecting across continents
Beyond the stadium, fans explored Madrid’s historic markets, tapas bars, and landmarks, often spotting fellow Cincinnatians living abroad. Jennifer Taylor, a West Price Hill native now residing in Nîmes, France, and Bill Bangert and Annie Knecht, who have made Porto, Portugal their home, said the event reinforced their enduring love for the Bengals.
“No matter how far away I live, I’m always going to love Cincinnati and the Bengals,” Taylor affirmed.
Looking ahead
The Madrid game added a new chapter to the Bengals’ growing fan base, showing that devotion to the team can cross oceans and cultures. For the Cincinnati fans who made the trek, the trip was not just about football—it was a celebration of community, family, and the shared pride that binds them to their hometown.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
