Boomer Esiason is one of the greatest players in the 54-year history of the Cincinnati Bengals. Esiason is a living legend for the team and represents the last Bengals quarterback to play in a Super Bowl. Esiason spent 10 seasons in Cincinnati which represented the most successful span of his 14-year career. This includes an MVP season in 1988 and being 34 seconds away from winning Super Bowl XXIII. The legacy of Esiason also lives on in the Cincinnati area in the form of the Gunnar H. Esiason Cystic Fibrosis Center in the Pulmonary Division of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. This is dedicated to his son Gunnar who has battled the disease since two years of age. The Bengals and the city hold a special place in Esiason’s heart as they look to get the Super Bowl victory he was so close to, with Joe Burrow now at quarterback. Get fantastic deals with no deposit bonus codes on Burrow and the Bengals matchup Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens.
Boomer Esiason: Remembering Cincinnati Bengals Franchise Greats
Cincinnati Bengals Career
The Bengals drafted Esiason from the University of Maryland with the 38th overall pick, in the second round of the 1984 NFL draft. Esiason had a fantastic college career, setting 17 school records and throwing for 6,169 yards with 42 touchdowns and 27 interceptions.
When Esiason arrived in Cincinnati, it quickly became apparent he was the perfect signal-caller to run head coach Sam Wyche’s high tempo no-huddle offense. Esiason’s first start was on October 7th, 1984 in a 13-3 win over the Houston Oilers and he took over the full-time role for Ken Anderson for the 1985 season. The best year of Esiason’s long career came in 1988 in which he lead the Bengals to a 12-4 record, an NFL MVP award, and birth in Super Bowl XXIII against the San Francisco 49ers. This game marks the closest the franchise has ever been to a Super Bowl title. Esiason returned to the Bengals for the 1997 season after brief stints with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals and ended his Cincinnati career throwing for 27,149 yards, with 187 touchdowns and 131 interceptions.
Boomer to Burrow Parallels
When the Bengals drafted Burrow in 2020, he showed the confidence, intensity, and leadership qualities that Boomer also exuded. These are crucial traits for a franchise quarterback and ones they share as natural leaders of men.
Boomer x Burrow. @Bengals legendary QB @7BOOMERESIASON sat down to watch film with current star QB @JoeyB! pic.twitter.com/yLeJgj4ET5
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
When you watch Boomer and Burrow together, you realize quickly how smart they are as well. They both can quickly process information and also have that edge to them that is contagious with their teammates. Playing quarterback is so much more than throwing the ball. The Bengals have been fortunate to have Boomer and now Burrow leading the way for the franchise.
A Legacy Built to Last
For 30 years, Esiason has built a legacy both on and off the field that is built to last. His contributions to the Bengals and the Cincinnati community, specifically, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital are ones that will endure for generations. He epitomizes what makes the NFL and local franchise communities great. The lasting qualities that uplift, support, and make others around you better. The legacy of Esiason is one the citizens of Cincinnati and its football team are proud of, and pride lasts forever.
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