1968-79: The Originals
The original Bengals uniform debuted when the team began play in the modern-era American Football League in 1968, and it defined the team's appearance well beyond the AFL's merger with the National Football League in 1970. Except for its socks and shoes, this uniform remained unchanged for 12 seasons through 1979.
The helmet was orange with a gray facemask. Simple in design, it had "Bengals" arched across both sides in block letters. The letters were black with a thin white outline.
This original uniform had both a black jersey and a white jersey. The black jersey had one orange stripe surrounded by two white stripes on each sleeve. Its uniform numbers were white block numerals, appearing on both the front and back. Likewise, its nameplate had white block letters. The white jersey had an orange stripe surrounded by black stripes on each sleeve, its uniform numbers were black block numerals on the front and back, and it had black block letters on the nameplate.
The team wore the same white pants with both the black and white jerseys of this uniform. The pants had one orange stripe surrounded by two black stripes on the side of each leg. The stripes ran the full length of the legs.
Uniform Fun Facts
The Original Uniforms In Action
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Merlin Olsen (74) goes after Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Virgil Carter (11) during an NFL game Oct. 22, 1972, in Los Angeles. (Vic Stein via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Joiner (18) looks on from the sideline circa 1974. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals' Ken Anderson (14) picks up first down yardage with a quarterback draw during final quarter of game against Packers at Green Bay, Oct. 3, 1971. Anderson replaced starting quarterback Virg Carter who suffered a separated shoulder. Packers won, 20-17. (AP Photo)
Cincinnati Bengals Eric Crabtree slipped behind Pittsburgh?s defensive back Clarence Oliver (27) in the end zone and took a pass from quarterback Virgil Carter to score the final touchdown in the Bengals rout of the Steelers here on Sunday, Nov. 22, 1970 in Cincinnati. 34-7. Carter also passed to Bob Trumphy, who ran for another touchdown. (AP Photo/GS)
Cincinnati Bengals' head football coach Paul Brown, right, talks with two of his quarterbacks during a workout on Aug. 21, 1970, at their training camp in Wilmington, Ohio. At left is Dave Lewis, also a punter, and Sam Wyche, center. (AP Photo/Gene Herrick)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Ham (59) dives for the loose ball as it pops away from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Billy Brooks in the third quarter of a game in Cincinnati Saturday, Dec. 11, 1977. Brooks lost control of the ball after making a gain on a pass from quarterback Ken Anderson. The fumble was recovered by Steelers safety Jim Allen. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
Quarterback Virgil Carter (11) of the Cincinnati Bengals hands off in 1972. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jack Snow (84) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals safety Neal Craig (42) during an NFL game Oct. 22, 1972, in Los Angeles. (Vic Stein via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Boobie Clark (42) runs upfield during a 1975 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Oakland Raiders on December 28, 1975. The Raiders defeated the Bengals 31-28. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Bill Bergey (66) is seen in action circa 1973. (Tony Tomsic via AP)