With over a dozen candidates to choose from. Voters could face a challenge selecting inductees; for the Cincinnati Bengals’ inaugural Ring of Honor class. Two factors could help make the decision easier.

Voting for the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor’s inaugural class commences later this month. The specific date that voting begins has not been announced. Season ticket members and Paul Brown Stadium suite owners are eligible to vote. For the final two of the four members of the inaugural class. Those final two will join Hall of Fame player Anthony Munoz and team founder Paul Brown. Both were already inducted when the ring was established earlier this year.

There are 17 candidates on the ballot for the inaugural class. The candidates represent various eras of the Bengals 50+ years in existence. From their first season in 1968 to the Paul Brown Stadium era. All of the candidates would merit induction at some point in the future. Which could understandably make narrowing a choice down to two difficult for some. While this writer does not have a vote in this election. If I was eligible, there are two dynamics that would shape my vote.

The first and most significant is when the candidate played. For this writer, whether the player played during the Bengals first decade carries weight. The introduction of the Ring of Honor came amid longstanding complaints from fans. That the Bengals don’t do enough to celebrate their history. The Bengals pre-pandemic attendance struggles were likely another factor. With poor play and comparatively fewer stadium amenities compared to the Cincinnati Reds. Who found ways to attract fans during their recent rebuilding period; through embracing history and a nice ballpark experience.

Fan complaints intensified after the death of ring of honor candidate Ken Riley last year. Riley was among the Bengals that played during the franchise’s first decade. Along with candidates Ken Anderson, Isaac Curtis, Dave Lapham, Lemar Parrish, Bob Trumpy and Reggie Williams. Riley’s death and the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder. Of the importance of showing appreciation for people important to us while they’re alive. The Bengals don’t have that chance now with Riley. They do have the chance with others that played in the Bengals’ early days.

Appearing in a Super Bowl is another factor that could influence votes. Through narrowing down the list of players one would consider voting for. Some who played during the Bengals first decade were also on their Super Bowl teams. Anderson, Curtis, Lapham, Riley and Williams were on Cincinnati’s Super Bowl XVI team. Williams was on Cincinnati’s Super Bowl XVI and XXIII teams.

Ultimately, there are a wide range of factors that could explain how a person votes. Whether it’s for a teams ring of honor or something of national importance. There’s one constant regardless of what’s being voted on. It’s a personal decision, one’s preferences for the ring of honor’s induction could be based on all kinds of things. Whether they played in a Super Bowl or when they played. Fan interactions with a candidate could be a factor. Even what one thinks of a candidates broadcasting career.