Copyright Athlon Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals announced the passing of longtime announcer and Pro Bowl tight end Bob Trumpy on Sunday morning. Trumpy, who turned 80 earlier this year, spent his entire 10-year playing career with the Bengals. He became a color commentator for NBC upon retiring after the 1977 season and called everything from the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl to the Ryder Cup and the Olympics. “I’ve known Bob since we started here, and he had an extraordinary career as both a player and a broadcaster,” Bengals president Mike Brown said. “He did it all very well, and I regret his passing.” Added the Bengals’ official X/Twitter account: “Bob Trumpy’s impact will forever echo through The Jungle. Our hearts are with the Trumpy family.” What to Know About Cincinnati Bengals Legend Bob Trumpy Initially a wide receiver and tight end at Illinois and Utah, the Bengals selected Trumpy in the 1968 NFL-AFL Draft’s 12th round. Trumpy immediately emerged as a reliable weapon, hauling in 37 catches for 639 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie. Trumpy earned All-AFL honors in his sophomore year, recording 835 yards and nine touchdowns on only 37 receptions. The 1970 AFL-NFL merger didn’t stop Trumpy from averaging 36 catches, 487 yards, and three touchdowns over his next five seasons. “He was a matchup nightmare,” Bengals radio color commentator Dave Lapham said. “He was too quick for linebackers. Too big for safeties. Tough. Reliable. And he was an underrated blocker. He was a good one.” Trumpy’s 298 catches rank 15th in Bengals history, and his 35 touchdowns rank 11th. He received the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award in 2014, and the Bengals named him to their 50th Anniversary Team in 2017. In addition to working for NBC Sports, Trumpy hosted a weeknight sports talk show on WLW-AM in Cincinnati from 1980-89 and was named Ohio Sports Broadcaster of the Year four times. Tributes to Trumpy quickly poured in on social media, with some remembering his playing days and others sharing fond memories of his broadcasting career. Sirius XM’s Damon Amendolara recalled said he “absolutely loved listening” to Trumpy. “He ripped the officials at a time network broadcasters were far more diplomatic,” Amendolara wrote. “Him blasting the refs during an Oilers/Browns playoff game in ‘88 is a core memory for me.” Cincinnati radio host Bill Cunningham called Trumpy the “father of Sports Talk” in an X/Twitter post. “He spoke truth to power and will be sorely missed by all who know him,” Cunningham wrote. We extend our condolences to Bob Trumpy’s friends, family, and the entire football community.
