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Cincinnati Bengals players didn’t come close to quitting during Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.
But fans of the team could be forgiven for hoping for a loss — doing so meant the Bengals wrapped up the first pick in the 2020 draft.
But team leaders like Andy Dalton and Tyler Boyd aren’t happy about the segment of fans hoping for a loss.
Here’s what Dalton told the media after the game:
“You don’t view that. None of those people are — those types of fans, they aren’t true fans. If you’re a fan of the team, you want them to win, you want them to be successful. Every time you’re out there, you want to win.”
And Boyd:
Tyler Boyd on Bengals fans wanting them to lose on Sunday: They are on the outside looking in. If they want us to lose then they ain't true fans. We don't worry about that. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 22, 2019
Odds are Dalton probably wishes he could have that one back. It’s silly to decry fans as not “true” fans because they cheer for a certain result — cheering for a loss Sunday was because those fans believe it is truly in the best interests of the franchise for the long-term.
Fans don’t need this watered down to understand — most surely get that they should be rooting for this team no matter what, and especially the individuals on it putting in the work. But they can’t blindly pretend they don’t understand the draft implications, either.
Particularly for Cincinnati fans, it’s unfortunate to hear this sort of wording from players given what they’ve been through over the years. That these true fans have stuck through it all and finally have something to be excited for isn’t something they should feel guilt over now.
Luckily for all, everyone can get back on the same page now — everyone wants to see the Bengals whip the Browns to close the season.
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