Forrest Gregg, the coach who led the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance, has died. Gregg only spent four seasons with the Bengals, from 1980 to 1983, but it was a time that fans still remember fondly. In 1982, Gregg's second season as head coach, Cincy took the AFC Conference championship in the famous "Freezer Bowl". This is one of the Bengals mark on football history having this game be the coldest NFL game in history. That victory sent the Bengals to their first Super-Bowl appearance. They lost to the San Francisco 49ers 26-21, but that was the result of a comeback from a 20-0 deficit after the first half. We have always been a second half team.
"It's a sad day here," Mike Brown said. "My memories of Forrest are very special. He not only was the coach of the team, but we were also good friends. As a coach, he was very successful here. We had good people, good players and he got the best out of them. He was very demanding. The players didn't try to cut corners. They went out and did what they had to do, and what we were doing worked. We were somewhat ahead of the curve at the time."
Forrest personally scouted and drafted Anthony Muñoz, telling Bengals owner Paul Brown, "Anthony Munoz will be one of the best offensive tackles ever to play the game," Hell of a take if you ask us! Gregg attended a two-hour workout at the University of Southern California's practice field to watch Muñoz after his senior season. Anthony only played in one full game his senior season. But Gregg selected him third overall in the 1980 NFL Draft because he was obviously a clairvoyant.
It is always a sad day when we lose a member of the Cincinnati Bengals family. Forrest Gregg was not only a solid coach but a solid player as well. He should be remembered for both. Take some time today and reflect on this mans achievements and contributions to our organization.
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