When it comes to jersey numbers, the No. 71 is a pretty big one for the Cincinnati Bengals.
That’s the number Hall of Fame finalist Willie Anderson wore for the duration of his career. It’s the same one worn by La’el Collins right now. Rufus Mayes was a very productive player in the 70s while wearing it and even former first-rounder Andre Smith chose it.
So with roughly 71 days until the Bengals open the season against the Cleveland Browns, we thought it was the perfect time to step back and outline every player to wear the No. 71 in franchise history, per the lore recorded at Pro Football Reference.
Xavier Williams, 2020
Ralph Tamm, 1999
Andre Smith, 2009-2019
Riley Reiff, 2021
Rufus Mayes, 1970-1978
Chris Lindstrom, 1983
Pete Koch, 1984
Garry Howe, 1993
Rod Horn, 1980-1981
Mike Hammerstein, 1986-1990
John Fletcher, 1987
La'el Collins, 2022-2023
Willie Anderson,1996-2007
