Cincinnati Bengals legends Willie Anderson and Isaac Curtis will join Paul Brown, Anthony Muñoz, Ken Anderson and Ken Riley in the team’s Ring of Honor.
These first two of four inductees were voted on by season ticket members and announced Wednesday.
Anderson spent 1996-2007 with the Bengals and was one of the best right tackles of his generation and a Hall of Fame candidate. Curtis, 1973-1984 as one of the best wideouts in team history and ranks third in team history with 7,101 receiving yards and 20 100-yard games, plus fourth with 53 receiving touchdowns.
“This organization is pretty much built on how well their (offensive) lineman play. For the fans to pick that, to me that was an honor,” Anderson said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “The best player in team history is an offensive lineman and a guy who set the standard for me and the rest of the guys individually and as a group to follow.”
“These are two of our finest all-time players,” Bengals President Mike Brown said. “Willie was as good a right offensive tackle as you could draw up. He had it all — strength, movement and attitude. Isaac had incredible speed along with great hands. This is evidence for how our fans felt about Isaac during his career. They knew he was special. The Bengals are fortunate to have both of these outstanding players in the Ring of Honor.”
Fifteen players were on the ballot this year:
- Willie Anderson
- Jim Breech
- James Brooks
- Cris Collinsworth
- Isaac Curtis
- Corey Dillon
- Boomer Esiason
- David Fulcher
- Chad Johnson
- Tim Krumrie
- Dave Lapham
- Max Montoya
- Lemar Parrish
- Bob Trumpy
- Reggie Williams
The team will pick the other two names and this second class will get enshrined during the team’s Sept. 29 primetime against the Miami Dolphins.
It's official! You all voted and now Willie Anderson and Isaac Curtis will be welcomed as the fifth and sixth members of the Bengals Ring of Honor.
On September 29th at halftime vs the Dolphins, we will honor them with a special induction ceremony.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 20, 2022