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1997-2003 — Leaping Tiger

1997-2003 — Leaping Tiger

In 1997, the Bengals introduced alterations to their uniform which were termed "evolutionary, not revolutionary." While the helmet remained unchanged and the general look of the uniform remained intact, several modifications were made on the jerseys, pants and socks.

Perhaps the most notable of the changes was the addition of the team's new leaping tiger logo on the sleeves of the jersey. Because the new logo was placed where uniform numbers previously had been, the numbers on the sleeves were moved to the tops of the shoulders.

Also on the jersey, the black tiger- stripe patterns on the shoulders were simplified with wider stripes. The white jersey was altered further to include black trim on the sleeves and collar. And the letters on the nameplates of both the black jersey and white jersey were given orange outlines to match the jersey numbers, which had been given orange outlines in the uniform's 1981 redesign.

Uniform Fun Facts

Another not so noticeable change was made in 1997:

There was another alteration made with this Bengals uniform change — not in design, but in makeup. All of the jersey numbers and the letters of the nameplates were converted from printed images to stitched fabric. The stitched fabric process — called "tackle twill" — produced more vivid colors, and the result was much more durable. With the nameplate letters and the jersey numerals altered to tackle twill, the black tiger-stripe pattern on the shoulders and pants were the only remaining printed items.

Incorrect stripes were placed on 1999 pants:

Two years after the Bengals made the 1997 alterations, a new manufacturer of the uniforms mistakenly produced pants with the previous tiger-stripe pattern that was used from 1981-96. The discrepancy was considered minor, since most of the 1997 alterations had occurred on the jersey. In fact, the mistake wasn't even noticed until after the 1999 season had started. Thus, the team wore the incorrectly-striped pants for the rest of the season, and the error was corrected for the following year.

Leaping Tiger Uniforms In Action

A group of New England Patriots defenders make a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 9, 2001 in Cincinnati. The Bengals defeated the Patriots 23-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Joe Robbins/Joe Robbins
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A group of New England Patriots defenders make a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 9, 2001 in Cincinnati. The Bengals defeated the Patriots 23-17. (Joe Robbins via AP)

New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles (87) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals Dec. 16, 2001 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Bengals 5–14. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Evan Pinkus
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New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles (87) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals Dec. 16, 2001 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Bengals 5–14. (Evan Pinkus via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Willie Anderson (71) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, in San Francisco. The Raiders won the game, 23-20. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
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Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Willie Anderson (71) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, in San Francisco. The Raiders won the game, 23-20. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

Cincinnati Bengals Corey Dillon (28) during a game at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio against the Tennessee Titans from his 2001 season. The Titans beat the Bengals 20-7. Corey Dillon played for 10 seasons, with 2 different teams and was a 4-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)
David Durochik/AP2020
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Cincinnati Bengals Corey Dillon (28) during a game at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio against the Tennessee Titans from his 2001 season. The Titans beat the Bengals 20-7. Corey Dillon played for 10 seasons, with 2 different teams and was a 4-time Pro Bowler.(David Durochik via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick (80) runs with the ball during a week 6 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 13, 2002. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 34-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Scott Boehm
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick (80) runs with the ball during a week 6 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 13, 2002. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 34-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson (85) prepares to catch a pass during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Phoenix. The Cardinals defeated the Bengals 17-14. (Kevin Reece via AP)
Kevin Reece/Kevin Reece
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson (85) prepares to catch a pass during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Phoenix. The Cardinals defeated the Bengals 17-14. (Kevin Reece via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly (82) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Sept. 14, 2003, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Bengals 23–20. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Kevin Terrell
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly (82) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Sept. 14, 2003, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Bengals 23–20. (Kevin Terrell via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders defeated the Bengals, 23-20, at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Caif. on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. (Kirby Lee via AP)
Kirby Lee/AP2020
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders defeated the Bengals, 23-20, at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Caif. on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. (Kirby Lee via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals center Rich Braham (74) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Allen Kee via AP)
Allen Kee
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Cincinnati Bengals center Rich Braham (74) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Allen Kee via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly (82) and center Rich Braham (74) are seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Sept. 14, 2003, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Bengals 23–20. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Kevin Terrell
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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly (82) and center Rich Braham (74) are seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Sept. 14, 2003, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Bengals 23–20. (Kevin Terrell via AP)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick (80) goes airbourne after being hit during a Week 4 NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 29, 2003. The Colts defeated the Bengals 21-20. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Scott Boehm
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick (80) goes airbourne after being hit during a Week 4 NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 29, 2003. The Colts defeated the Bengals 21-20. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick (80) runs with the ball during a week 6 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 13, 2002. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 34-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Scott Boehm
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick (80) runs with the ball during a week 6 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 13, 2002. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 34-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)