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Jim Obergefell is known as a marriage-equality leader.
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PHOTO: EMMA PARKER PHOTOGRAPHY
In Ohio House Campaign, Jim Obergefell In Ohio House Campaign, Jim Obergefell
Prepares to Fight Again for LGBTQ+ Protections Prepares to Fight Again for LGBTQ+ Protections Same-sex Cincinnati couples are worried about the future of their marriages after the fall of Roe v. Wade. Same-sex Cincinnati couples are worried about the future of their marriages after the fall of Roe v. Wade.BY MADELINE FENING
BY MADELINE FENING
Jim Obergefell hasn’t gone doorknocking since the early ‘90s. As a University of Cincinnati student and leaf raker in Clifton’s Gaslight District, he was raising money for the University of Cincinnati Men’s Chorus.
But now Obergefell is going door to door asking for the citizens of Ohio’s House District 89 to elect him as its representative on Nov. 8.
“ at’s the last time I went door to door! I was a little worried to get started again, but I really do enjoy it,” Obergefell tells CityBeat.
Per the district maps that were redrawn by a Republican-led commission this year, the area Obergefell is running to represent encompasses portions of Erie, Huron and Ottawa counties along Lake Erie in the northern portion of Ohio. Sandusky – known for rollercoaster destination Cedar Point – is home for Obergefell, but Cincinnati
Jim Obergefell hasn’t gone doorknocking since the early ‘90s. As a University of Cincinnati student and is where his ght for marriage equality began.leaf raker in Clifton’s Gaslight District, he Obergefell is running for o ce in was raising money for the University of the new post-Roe world, which could Cincinnati Men’s Chorus. have big reverberations upon his own
But now Obergefell is going door to famous case, Obergefell v. Hodges, and door asking for the citizens of Ohio’s other settled landmark laws. In June, House District 89 to elect him as its repthe conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme resentative on Nov. 8. Court ruled on Dobbs v. Jackson, ulti-
“ at’s the last time I went door to mately overturning the long-standing door! I was a little worried to get started Roe v. Wade, which granted citizens the again, but I really do enjoy it,” Obergefell right to privacy to choose and seek an tells CityBeat. abortion.
Per the district maps that were Many people now think that Obergeredrawn by a Republican-led comfell, which grants same-sex marriage mission this year, the area Obergefell rights nationwide, will fall next, thanks is running to represent encompasses to opinion language used in the Dobbs/ portions of Erie, Huron and Ottawa Roe decision. counties along Lake Erie in the northern portion of Ohio. Sandusky – known for rollercoaster destination Cedar Point – is home for Obergefell, but Cincinnati is where his ght for marriage equality began. Obergefell is running for o ce in the new post-Roe world, which could have big reverberations upon his own famous case, Obergefell v. Hodges, and other settled landmark laws. In June, the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Dobbs v. Jackson, ultimately overturning the long-standing Roe v. Wade, which granted citizens the right to privacy to choose and seek an abortion. Many people now think that Obergefell, which grants same-sex marriage rights nationwide, will fall next, thanks to opinion language used in the Dobbs/ Roe decision.
Why Obergefell’s political race matters to the nation
While living in Cincinnati in 2013, Obergefell and longtime partner John Arthur ew to Maryland to marry after Arthur became severely ill with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). But because their home state of Ohio did not recognize same-sex marriages, Obergefell would not be listed on Arthur’s death certi cate as the surviving spouse. e couple did not have the time to wait for Ohio law to change.
Obergefell led suit to have his name listed on Arthur’s Ohio death certi cate in several lower courts before the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. In Obergefell v. Hodges – led against the Ohio Department of Health’s then-director Richard Hodges and as well as other defendants – all nine judges decided in 2015 that states could not discriminate between heterosexual and same-sex marriages and that legal marriages in one state must be recognized in other states.
Now Obergefell nds himself
preparing to ght once again for marriage equality in Ohio, this time potentially as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. “Being back in my hometown, back in my roots, it was really a matter of right time and right place. is is how I can keep ghting to make things better,” Obergefell says. When the Supreme Court ruled on Dobbs in June, some justices used language in the opinion that opened up the possibility of rescinding additionl rights. In his concurring opinion in overturning Roe, Justice Clarence omas wrote, “In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process Why Obergefell’s political precedents, including Griswold, Lawrace matters to the nation rence, and Obergefell.” (Griswold v. Connecticut grants the right to obtain contraWhile living in Cincinnati in 2013, ceptives, while Lawrence v. Texas grants Obergefell and longtime partner John the right to private, sexual activity). is means the court’s conservative
Arthur ew to Maryland to marry after Arthur became severely ill with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). But because their home state of Ohio did not recognize same-sex marriages, Obergefell would not be listed on Arthur’s death certi cate as the surviving spouse. e couple did not have the time to wait for Ohio law to change.
Obergefell led suit to have his name listed on Arthur’s Ohio death certi cate in several lower courts before the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. In Obergefell v. Hodges – led against the Ohio Department of Health’s then-director Richard Hodges and as well as other defendants – all nine judges decided in 2015 that states could not discriminate between heterosexual and same-sex marriages and that legal marriages in one state must be recognized in other states.
Now Obergefell nds himself preparing to ght once again for marriage equality in Ohio, this time potentially as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.
“Being back in my hometown, back in my roots, it was really a matter of right time and right place. is is how I can keep ghting to make things better,” Obergefell says.
When the Supreme Court ruled on Dobbs in June, some justices used language in the opinion that opened up the possibility of rescinding additionl rights. In his concurring opinion in overturning Roe, Justice Clarence omas wrote, “In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.” (Griswold v. Connecticut grants the right to obtain contraceptives, while Lawrence v. Texas grants the right to private, sexual activity). is means the court’s conservative
majority could punt the legality of majority could punt the legality of marriage equality back to the states in marriage equality back to the states in the future – and Obergefell says Ohio’s the future – and Obergefell says Ohio’s legislature already has acted unfairly. legislature already has acted unfairly. “We have one political party that the “We have one political party that the whole redistricting mess shows they whole redistricting mess shows they have no interest in following the law,” have no interest in following the law,” Obergefell says. “ ey have no interest in Obergefell says. “ ey have no interest in what’s in the best interest for the people what’s in the best interest for the people of Ohio.” of Ohio.” Roe fell in June, but Ohio RepubRoe fell in June, but Ohio Republicans had chipped away at abortion licans had chipped away at abortion care access within the state for years by care access within the state for years by regulating gestational deadlines and regulating gestational deadlines and enacting burdensome protocols on enacting burdensome protocols on abortion clinics. abortion clinics. “When we lose one right, every other “When we lose one right, every other right is at risk,” Obergefell says, adding right is at risk,” Obergefell says, adding that Ohio already is taking swings at that Ohio already is taking swings at marriage equality. He points to recent marriage equality. He points to recent legislative e orts to control the LGBTQ+ legislative e orts to control the LGBTQ+ community, such as Ohio’s version of community, such as Ohio’s version of Florida’s “Dont Say Gay” bill, which Florida’s “Dont Say Gay” bill, which would prohibit the “promotion and would prohibit the “promotion and teaching of divisive or inherently racist teaching of divisive or inherently racist concepts in public schools” while also concepts in public schools” while also nixing educational materials about nixing educational materials about sexual orientation and gender identity. sexual orientation and gender identity. “ ey are saying, ‘Sorry teachers, you “ ey are saying, ‘Sorry teachers, you can’t teach our nation’s history. You can’t teach our nation’s history. You can’t acknowledge the existence of – the can’t acknowledge the existence of – the reality of – the queer communuty.’ at’s reality of – the queer communuty.’ at’s harmful, it’s hateful, and when we’re harmful, it’s hateful, and when we’re messing with education in that way, it’s messing with education in that way, it’s not preparing our kids to be successful in not preparing our kids to be successful in a diverse, complicated world,” Obergefell a diverse, complicated world,” Obergefell says. says.Many Republican lawmakers like Many Republican lawmakers like Jean Schmidt, an Ohio House rep from Jean Schmidt, an Ohio House rep from Loveland, have chosen schools as their Loveland, have chosen schools as their battleground for removing LGBTQ+ battleground for removing LGBTQ+ rights. In April, Schmidt worked a transrights. In April, Schmidt worked a transphobic amendment into a bill about phobic amendment into a bill about paying college athletes. e amendment paying college athletes. e amendment bars transgender students from particibars transgender students from participating on women’s teams in high school pating on women’s teams in high school and college. and college.“ ey certainly shouldn’t be attacking “ ey certainly shouldn’t be attacking that one trans girl athlete who simply that one trans girl athlete who simply wants to play sports with her friends,” wants to play sports with her friends,” Obergefell says. Obergefell says.
Local same-sex couples Local same-sex couples question their future
question their future Cincinnati residents Daniel Dilbert and Cincinnati residents Daniel Dilbert and his ance Michael Taylor have worried his ance Michael Taylor have worried about Ohio’s ability to maintain marabout Ohio’s ability to maintain marriage equality, even before the Dobbs riage equality, even before the decision was announced. Dobbs decision was announced. “ e world is still changing and “ e world is still changing and people are scared of change,” Dilbert people are scared of change,” Dilbert tells CityBeat. “ at’s what frightens me tells CityBeat. “ at’s what frightens me every single day.” every single day.”Dilbert says that when he heard that Dilbert says that when he heard that omas cited the Obergefell decision in omas cited the Obergefell decision in his Dobbs opinion, his fears came into his Dobbs opinion, his fears came into sharper focus. sharper focus.“I thought, ‘Are we going to be able “I thought, ‘Are we going to be able to get married? Are we going to do this to get married? Are we going to do this together?’ Because, unfortunately, in the together?’ Because, unfortunately, in the world it’s not legal everywhere, and right world it’s not legal everywhere, and right now it feels like we’re backtracking. It makes us feel belittled,” Dilbert says.
Dilbert says he proposed to Taylor in January under strings of lights and surrounded by thick bamboo stalks at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. He says when they discuss their upcoming wedding, they become excited and then nervous – but it’s not the kind of nerves an engaged couple typically feels.
“Every time we talk about it, it’s an exciting and wonderful moment, but we always have just in the corner of our mind, ‘Is this really going to happen?’” Dilbert says.
Obergefell says he’s familiar with love during uncertain times.
“We became a couple when the charter amendment was passed. We were in Cincinnati during a really dark time for the queer community,” Obergefell says, referring to Cincinnati’s Article XII, which denied discrimination protections for LBGTQ+ city residents.
Voters repealed Article XII in 2004, which Obergefell says gave him hope that Cincinnati would become more welcoming for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2015, Cincinnati City Council banned “conversion therapy,”which attempts to “cure” LGBTQ+ people – often youth – of their sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity when those don’t line up with heterosexual or cisgender ideals. Earlier this year, Cincinnati revised its municipal code to more directly protect gender expression and identity for city workers.
But those advances could be neutered in the future, many legal analysts say. It makes Dilbert and other members of the LGBTQ+ community nervous.
Dilbert says people are afraid of love they don’t understand.
“No matter what, people are scared of something true and wonderful – something that is happy and wonderful for other people, because it’s not the way they like to see other people,” Dilbert says.
In the meantime, Obergefell will tackle this and other issues in his quest to represent Ohio’s 89th District. Even if he wins, he knows he’ll have an uphill battle in Columbus.
“Come November, do I think the Democratic party is going to take the majority in the statehouse? No,” Obergefell says. “But what I do hope is we can break the Republican supermajority, because that would give Nan Whaley [the democrat running for governor against incumbent Republican Mike DeWine] the power of the line-item veto. Even when bad bills are passed by the House, by the Senate, well, Nan as governor has the ability to veto the lines,” Obergefell says.
Obergefell will face o against Republican incumbent D.J. Swearingen during the general election Nov. 8.
now it feels like we’re backtracking. It makes us feel belittled,” Dilbert says.
Dilbert says he proposed to Taylor in January under strings of lights and surrounded by thick bamboo stalks at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. He says when they discuss their upcoming wedding, they become excited and then nervous – but it’s not the kind of nerves an engaged couple typically feels.
“Every time we talk about it, it’s an exciting and wonderful moment, but we always have just in the corner of our mind, ‘Is this really going to happen?’” Dilbert says.
Obergefell says he’s familiar with love during uncertain times.
“We became a couple when the charter amendment was passed. We were in Cincinnati during a really dark time for the queer community,” Obergefell says, referring to Cincinnati’s Article XII, which denied discrimination protections for LBGTQ+ city residents.
Voters repealed Article XII in 2004, which Obergefell says gave him hope that Cincinnati would become more welcoming for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2015, Cincinnati City Council banned “conversion therapy,”which attempts to “cure” LGBTQ+ people – often youth – of their sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity when those don’t line up with heterosexual or cisgender ideals. Earlier this year, Cincinnati revised its municipal code to more directly protect gender expression and identity for city workers.
But those advances could be neutered in the future, many legal analysts say. It makes Dilbert and other members of the LGBTQ+ community nervous.
Dilbert says people are afraid of love they don’t understand.
“No matter what, people are scared of something true and wonderful – something that is happy and wonderful for other people, because it’s not the way they like to see other people,” Dilbert says.
In the meantime, Obergefell will tackle this and other issues in his quest to represent Ohio’s 89th District. Even if he wins, he knows he’ll have an uphill battle in Columbus.
“Come November, do I think the Democratic party is going to take the majority in the statehouse? No,” Obergefell says. “But what I do hope is we can break the Republican supermajority, because that would give Nan Whaley [the democrat running for governor against incumbent Republican Mike DeWine] the power of the line-item veto. Even when bad bills are passed by the House, by the Senate, well, Nan as governor has the ability to veto the lines,” Obergefell says.
Obergefell will face o against Republican incumbent D.J. Swearingen during the general election Nov. 8.
NEWS NEWS Masking Not Required for Cincinnati Public Schools, Despite Masking Not Required for Cincinnati Public Schools, Despite Administration’s Own COVID-19 Safety Plan
BY MADELINE FENING
As of press time, students and teachers in Cincinnati Public Schools don’t have to mask up to slow the spread of COVID-19.
PHOTO: KELLY SIKKEMA, UNSPLASH As of press time, students and teachers in Cincinnati Public Schools don’t have to mask up to slow the spread of COVID-19. C incinnati Public School students and their families have entered a new school year, but packing a mask isn’t a requirement for CPS parents, despite the administration’s own COVID-19 safety plan amid PHOTO: KELLY SIKKEMA, UNSPLASH C incinnati Public School students and their families have entered a new school year, but packing a mask isn’t a requirement for CPS parents, despite the administration’s own COVID-19 safety plan amid high coronavirus case numbers. high coronavirus case numbers.
Hamilton County Hamilton County experiencing high COVID experiencing high COVID levels
levels As of press time, Hamilton County has As of press time, Hamilton County has had a high level of community spread for COVID-19 since July 22, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 tracker. Other Greater Cincinnati counties are also experiencing high levels of community spread, including Butler, Clermont and Warren counties. On Aug. 18, the seven-day average of COVID-19 cases in Hamilton County was 215.91 cases per 100,000 residents, or 1,765 cases total. e county was in the low level of community spread in March when the Cincinnati Board of Education passed a resolution to lift its mask requirement for students and sta . At the time, the district said it would ask the board to pass another resolution requiring had a high level of community spread for COVID-19 since July 22, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 tracker. Other Greater Cincinnati counties are also experiencing high levels of community spread, including Butler, Clermont and Warren counties. On Aug. 18, the seven-day average of COVID-19 cases in Hamilton County was 215.91 cases per 100,000 residents, or 1,765 cases total. e county was in the low level of community spread in March when the Cincinnati Board of Education passed a resolution to lift its mask requirement for students and sta . At the time, the district said it would ask the board to pass another resolution requiring masks if cases were to spike. masks if cases were to spike.
CPS not abiding by its own safety plan
According to the district’s 2022-2023 safety plan, district policy #5321 says the administration “shall inform the board and recommend requiring masks” when the community spread of COVID-19 is high in Hamilton County, as de ned by the CDC.
Mary Wineburg, chair of the health of safety committee for the board, tells CityBeat, “As of right now, masks are encouraged and optional. If you would like more clari cation regarding this, I ask that you reach out to Superintendent Wright and her communications team.” e superintendent’s team did not immediately respond to CityBeat’s request for comment about why the mask requirement has not happened despite the district’s safety policy.
CPS not abiding by its own safety plan
According to the district’s 2022-2023 safety plan, district policy #5321 says the administration “shall inform the
board and recommend requiring masks” when the community spread of COVID-19 is high in Hamilton County, as de ned by the CDC.
Mary Wineburg, chair of the health of safety committee for the board, tells CityBeat, “As of right now, masks are encouraged and optional. If you would like more clari cation regarding this, I ask that you reach out to Superintendent Wright and her communications team.” e superintendent’s team did not immediately respond to CityBeat’s request for comment about why the mask requirement has not happened despite the district’s safety policy.
Protecting kids from COVID-19
e CDC recommends masking for schools in areas where the spread of COVID-19 is high, but it is not required on a federal or state level.
Recommendations by the CDC for counties with high COVID levels – like Hamilton County and other Greater Cincinnati counties – include: * Wearing a mask indoors in public * Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines * Testing for COVID-19 if you have symptoms * Speaking to your doctor about additional precautions for people at high risk for severe illness
Vaccines are also recommended for children but are not required for public school students. According to the CDC, about 54,000 children under the age of 18 have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Hamilton County.
Protecting kids from COVID-19
e CDC recommends masking for schools in areas where the spread of COVID-19 is high, but it is not required on a federal or state level.
Recommendations by the CDC for counties with high COVID levels – like Hamilton County and other Greater Cincinnati counties – include: * Wearing a mask indoors in public * Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines * Testing for COVID-19 if you have symptoms * Speaking to your doctor about additional precautions for people at high risk for severe illness
Vaccines are also recommended for children but are not required for public school students. According to the CDC, about 54,000 children under the age of 18 have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Hamilton County.
Some local universities are enforcing masks in certain campus areas as college students start the fall semester.
University of Cincinnati
Masking is not required on UC’s campus, but it is recommended, according to a campus-wide email and the university’s website. e only areas where masking is required at the University of Cincinnati is in the College of Medicine, where everyone must wear a mask at all times except when alone in an o ce or while eating. e university strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccines.
Northern Kentucky University
NKU will not require students to wear masks on campus. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended, but not required. “ e university recommends meetings include a virtual option available for those who are uncomfortable with an in-person setting,” a spokesperson for NKU tells CityBeat. “When gathering indoors, NKU recommends people wear masks, which are readily available in the Student Union and other select areas of campus.”
Xavier University
At Xavier, masks are not required on campus, but COVID-19 vaccines are mandatory unless a person has a religious or medical exemption.
“We have re- lled sanitizing and cleaning stations and are ready for students to return,” a spokesperson for Xavier tells CityBeat. “We have a dedicated Covid-19 Task Force that has been meeting since Covid began and will continue to touch base throughout the semester. As you may have noticed, more than 95% of our students and employees are already fully vaccinated.”
Miami University
Miami students are not required to mask up to be on campus, but they are encouraged to do so if the community spread for COVID-19 is high, as it currently is in Butler County. COVID-19 vaccines are required for students and sta who are not exempt. “If we experienced a spike of illness on campus among employees or students, or if there were a new, more serious variant, it is possible we would need to temporarily adjust our approach,” the university writes on its website.
Mount St. Joseph University
Mount St. Joe is requiring all students and sta to wear masks on campus while Hamilton County remains in COVID-19 plans vary among the high level of community spread. colleges and universities COVID-19 vaccines are not required but are encouraged. Some local universities are enforcing “At medium and low-risk levels, masks in certain campus areas as col- masks may still be required in some lege students start the fall semester. settings,” the university writes on its University of Cincinnati website. Masking is not required on UC’s campus, but it is recommended, according to a campus-wide email and the university’s website. e only areas where masking is required at the University of Cincinnati is in the College of Medicine, where everyone must wear a mask at all times except when alone in an o ce or while eating. e university strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccines.
Northern Kentucky University
NKU will not require students to wear masks on campus. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended, but not required. “ e university recommends meetings include a virtual option available for those who are uncomfortable with an in-person setting,” a spokesperson for NKU tells CityBeat. “When gathering indoors, NKU recommends people wear masks, which are readily available in the Student Union and other select areas of campus.”
Xavier University
At Xavier, masks are not required on campus, but COVID-19 vaccines are mandatory unless a person has a religious or medical exemption. “We have re- lled sanitizing and cleaning stations and are ready for students to return,” a spokesperson for Xavier tells CityBeat. “We have a dedicated Covid-19 Task Force that has been meeting since Covid began and will continue to touch base throughout the semester. As you may have noticed, more than 95% of our students and employees are already fully vaccinated.”
Miami University
Miami students are not required to mask up to be on campus, but they are encouraged to do so if the community spread for COVID-19 is high, as it currently is in Butler County. COVID-19 vaccines are required for students and sta who are not exempt. “If we experienced a spike of illness on campus among employees or students, or if there were a new, more serious variant, it is possible we would need to temporarily adjust our approach,” the university writes on its website.
Mount St. Joseph University
Mount St. Joe is requiring all students and sta to wear masks on campus while Hamilton County remains in the high level of community spread. COVID-19 vaccines are not required but are encouraged. “At medium and low-risk levels, masks may still be required in some settings,” the university writes on its website.
Testing options available
Testing options available locally Most local and regional health agencies, including the Health Collaborative, provide lists of places where residents can be tested for COVID-19 or pick up a testing kit to use at home. e CDC advises that those testing positive for COVID-19 or who have COVID-19 symptoms should isolate themselves from others, especially from those who are immunocompromised. Avoiding travel for at least ve to 10 full days is recommended, depending on symptoms, severity or setting. People ending isolation should continue to wear a mask for ve more days, the CDC says. A tool to help determine how long you need to isolate, quarantine, or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19 is available on the CDC’s website. However, many doctors and epidemiologists, including experts at Yale University, caution that the CDC’s current guidance for isolation may be too short to stop or slow COVID-19 locally Most local and regional health agencies, including the Health Collaborative, provide lists of places where residents can be tested for COVID-19 or pick up a testing kit to use at home. e CDC advises that those testing positive for COVID-19 or who have COVID-19 symptoms should isolate themselves from others, especially from those who are immunocompromised. Avoiding travel for at least ve to 10 full days is recommended, depending on symptoms, severity or setting. People ending isolation should continue to wear a mask for ve more days, the CDC says. A tool to help determine how long you need to isolate, quarantine, or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19 is available on the CDC’s website. However, many doctors and epidemiologists, including experts at Yale University, caution that the CDC’s current guidance for isolation may be too short to stop or slow COVID-19 transmission to others. transmission to others.
Cincinnati Sports Briefs Cincinnati Sports Briefs
Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley might be on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame – nally.
PHOTO: TWITTER.COM/BENGALS
Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow Graces Sports Illustrated Cover for September
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and fashion icon Joe Burrow’s star has been rising, and now he’s got one more way of proving it.
Burrow is featured on the cover of the September issue of Sports Illustrated, which began hitting newsstands Aug. 17. e issue is dedicated to previewing the 2022-2023 NFL season, and Burrow represents the league’s current favorite nice guy who has the turf skills to match his Midwestern charm.
Last season, Burrow played a key role in the Bengals’ impressive post-season tear after the team had su ered through years of drought. e Bengals went to Super Bowl LVI in February, falling 20-23 to the Los Angeles Rams in the jungle’s rst shot at the Vince Lombardi trophy since 1989. e team earned a 10-7 regular-season record for 2021-2022, won the AFC North, and pulled out magical win after magical win in the post-season — including the AFC Championship.
During the regular season, Burrow threw 366 passes for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns and set several team records, including the most passing yards in a game, passing yards in a season and passing touchdowns in a season.
Burrow recently underwent an appendectomy.
On Aug. 9, the Cincinnati Bengals announced that Paul Brown Stadium now is called Paycor Stadium, named for a human resources software company that’s based in Cincinnati. e Bengals’ 2022-2023 regular season kicks o against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11 at Paycor Stadium and will end on Jan. 7 or 8 in a battle with the Baltimore Ravens in Cincinnati. e team will debut its new white tiger helmet during the Sept. 29 game against the Miami Dolphins.
Paw by paw, a Cincinnati Bengal is moving one step closer to having the Pro Football Hall of Fame as his new den. is month, the Hall of Fame selection committee selected the late Ken Riley as one of three nalists for the 2023 induction class. If approved, the former cornerback would become just the second Cincinnati Bengal to be enshrined in the hall.
Riley moves forward for a January vote, along with Chicago Bears linebacker Chuck Howley and New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko. All three are considered seniors whose careers ended during or before the 1996 NFL season. Seniors will need 80% approval from the committee in January to enter the hall.
Riley spent his entire career with the Bengals. He’s considered one of the team’s all-time best players with 65 interceptions — fth-most in NFL history. Nicknamed “ e Rattler,” Riley played 207 games and spent 15 seasons with the Bengals, both in the AFL and the NFL. With Riley, the team went to the playo s ve times and had its rst Super Bowl run in 1982.
Riley later became head coach and athletic director at Florida A&M, the alma mater where he had been a starting quarterback, had been selected for a Rhodes Scholar Candidacy and later would coach his son, Ken Riley II.
As CityBeat previously reported, Riley was excluded from the NFL’s “In Memoriam” segment during the Super Bowl in 2021, just months after he had passed away. e snub incensed fans and increased the calls for his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame even more.
Former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson also was a nalist under consideration to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023 but did not make the cut. Anderson played for the Bengals for his entire 16-season career. Along with Riley, he led the team to its rst Super Bowl in 1982 and was crowned the Most Valuable Player and O ensive Player of the Year. He’s one of just ve players to have earned four passing titles.
Anderson remained connected with the Bengals even after his playing days were over, serving as a quarterback coach and radio broadcaster. His lack of selection to the Hall of Fame thus far is widely considered an egregious snub among sports experts.
Both Riley and Anderson were inducted into the Bengals’ own inaugural Ring of Honor class in 2021.
Joey Votto is done – at least for now. e longtime Cincinnati Reds’ rst baseman had surgery on his left rotator cu on Aug. 19 after not appearing
in a game since Aug. 16. He was yanked from the lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 17 and placed on the 60-day injured list. Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek performed the surgery at Beacon Orthopaedics in Cincinnati, a note from the Reds’ camp says. “Joey this morning had successful surgery to repair his left rotator cu and bicep,” Reds general manager Nick Krall says. “ e surgery was a little more than expected. e injury de nitely limited the use of his left shoulder and a ected his performance, but we expect he will be able to participate in spring training and be ready for the 2023 season.” Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley might be on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame – nally. Before undergoing surgery, Votto PHOTO: TWITTER.COM/BENGALS Cincinnati Bengals was hitless in his previous 22 at bats Quarterback Joe Burrow – a new career high for the slugger. Graces Sports Illustrated During a brie ng with reporters, Votto Cover for September said that he’d injured his shoulder Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and fashion icon Joe Burrow’s star has been rising, and now he’s got one more way of proving it. Burrow is featured on the cover of the September issue of Sports Illustrated, which began hitting newsstands Aug. 17. e issue is dedicated to previewing the 2022-2023 NFL season, and Burrow represents the league’s current favorite nice guy who has the turf skills to match his Midwestern charm. Last season, Burrow played a key role in the Bengals’ impressive post-season tear after the team had su ered through years of drought. e Bengals went to Super Bowl LVI in February, falling 20-23 to the Los Angeles Rams in the jungle’s rst shot at the Vince Lombardi trophy since 1989. e team earned a 10-7 regular-season record for 2021-2022, won the AFC North, and pulled out magical win after magical win in the post-season — including the AFC Championship. During the regular season, Burrow threw 366 passes for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns and set several team records, including the most passing yards in a game, passing yards in a season and passing touchdowns in a season. Burrow recently underwent an appendectomy. On Aug. 9, the Cincinnati Bengals announced that Paul Brown Stadium now is called Paycor Stadium, named for a human resources software company that’s based in Cincinnati. e in 2015 and had been able to play through it, but the past few months had brought new pain. Votto was on the injured list earlier this year thanks to COVID-19 and missed several games in July due to tightness in his back. “It’s a big blow, obviously. We’re going to miss him a ton,” manager David Bell says. “I have no idea how he was playing with it. I don’t know what he said, but trying to play this game with a torn rotator cu …” Doctors emphasized that the surgery needed to happen in order for the Reds to have Votto back in time for next season, Bell says. On Aug. 19, Votto said, “I didn’t know I was hurt. ought I just stunk,” on Twitter. After the surgery that day, Votto posted a photo to Instagram saying, “Today called for ice cream.” In the photo, he licks an ice cream cone while his left arm rests in a sling. e Toronto-born Votto – who the Reds drafted in 2002 and who entered the big leagues in 2007 – is just nine games shy of playing in 2,000 career games, all of them for Cincinnati. On Aug. 14, he set a new MLB record for games played by a player born in Canada with 1,989 – more than previous record-holder Larry Walker, who is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. As of press time, the Reds are more than 20 games behind the NL Centralleading St. Louis Cardinals and are not expected to see playo action in October.
Bengals’ 2022-2023 regular season kicks o against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11 at Paycor Stadium and will end on Jan. 7 or 8 in a battle with the Baltimore Ravens in Cincinnati. e team will debut its new white tiger helmet during the Sept. 29 game against the Miami Dolphins.
Paw by paw, a Cincinnati Bengal is moving one step closer to having the Pro Football Hall of Fame as his new den. is month, the Hall of Fame selection committee selected the late Ken Riley as one of three nalists for the 2023 induction class. If approved, the former cornerback would become just the second Cincinnati Bengal to be enshrined in the hall.
Riley moves forward for a January vote, along with Chicago Bears linebacker Chuck Howley and New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko. All three are considered seniors whose careers ended during or before the 1996 NFL season. Seniors will need 80% approval from the committee in January to enter the hall.
Riley spent his entire career with the Bengals. He’s considered one of the team’s all-time best players with 65 interceptions — fth-most in NFL history. Nicknamed “ e Rattler,” Riley played 207 games and spent 15 seasons with the Bengals, both in the AFL and the NFL. With Riley, the team went to the playo s ve times and had its rst Super Bowl run in 1982.
Riley later became head coach and athletic director at Florida A&M, the alma mater where he had been a starting quarterback, had been selected for a Rhodes Scholar Candidacy and later would coach his son, Ken Riley II.
As CityBeat previously reported, Riley was excluded from the NFL’s “In Memoriam” segment during the Super Bowl in 2021, just months after he had passed away. e snub incensed fans and increased the calls for his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame even more.
Former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson also was a nalist under consideration to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023 but did not make the cut. Anderson played for the Bengals for his entire 16-season career. Along with Riley, he led the team to its rst Super Bowl in 1982 and was crowned the Most Valuable Player and O ensive Player of the Year. He’s one of just ve players to have earned four passing titles.
Anderson remained connected with the Bengals even after his playing days were over, serving as a quarterback coach and radio broadcaster. His lack of selection to the Hall of Fame thus far is widely considered an egregious snub among sports experts.
Both Riley and Anderson were inducted into the Bengals’ own inaugural Ring of Honor class in 2021.
Joey Votto is done – at least for now. e longtime Cincinnati Reds’ rst baseman had surgery on his left rotator cu on Aug. 19 after not appearing in a game since Aug. 16. He was yanked from the lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 17 and placed on the 60-day injured list.
Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek performed the surgery at Beacon Orthopaedics in Cincinnati, a note from the Reds’ camp says.
“Joey this morning had successful surgery to repair his left rotator cu and bicep,” Reds general manager Nick Krall says. “ e surgery was a little more than expected. e injury de nitely limited the use of his left shoulder and a ected his performance, but we expect he will be able to participate in spring training and be ready for the 2023 season.”
Before undergoing surgery, Votto was hitless in his previous 22 at bats – a new career high for the slugger. During a brie ng with reporters, Votto said that he’d injured his shoulder in 2015 and had been able to play through it, but the past few months had brought new pain.
Votto was on the injured list earlier this year thanks to COVID-19 and missed several games in July due to tightness in his back.
“It’s a big blow, obviously. We’re going to miss him a ton,” manager David Bell says. “I have no idea how he was playing with it. I don’t know what he said, but trying to play this game with a torn rotator cu …”
Doctors emphasized that the surgery needed to happen in order for the Reds to have Votto back in time for next season, Bell says.
On Aug. 19, Votto said, “I didn’t know I was hurt. ought I just stunk,” on Twitter.
After the surgery that day, Votto posted a photo to Instagram saying, “Today called for ice cream.” In the photo, he licks an ice cream cone while his left arm rests in a sling. e Toronto-born Votto – who the Reds drafted in 2002 and who entered the big leagues in 2007 – is just nine games shy of playing in 2,000 career games, all of them for Cincinnati. On Aug. 14, he set a new MLB record for games played by a player born in Canada with 1,989 – more than previous record-holder Larry Walker, who is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
As of press time, the Reds are more than 20 games behind the NL Centralleading St. Louis Cardinals and are not expected to see playo action in October.
