Nothing makes sports more watchable than a blood-boiling rivalry, and let me tell you, Cincinnati fans have got some seriously deep-seated animosities. We’re talking about out-of-towners, bad guys, and teams that have truly caused some lasting hurt over the years. This isn’t just about a playoff spot or a division lead, this is about pure, unadulterated hate that defines their fandom.
AFC North Is Brutal, But the Chiefs Cut Deep Too
When it comes to NFL rivalries, the AFC North is just built different, right? For Bengals fans, it starts with the Cleveland Browns. That “If it’s Brown, flush it down” line is apparently one of the first things you learn! It’s an in-state, in-division battle, with both teams even founded by Paul Brown, who always relished beating his old squad. Plus, it seems the Browns really know how to coax a bad game out of Joe Burrow, which has got to sting. Then there are the Baltimore Ravens, another AFC North team with real Super Bowl intentions. Their two-time NFL MVP quarterback just carves up the Cincinnati defense with frustrating ease, and these games are almost always point parades coming down to the last possession. Recent history? Not kind to the tiger team. And if that wasn’t enough, the Kansas City Chiefs have created fresh wounds. Watching them hold a lead, then sitting through a commercial with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid talking about chicken nuggets and insurance? Ouch. There was the whole “Burrowhead” stadium rename attempt, the mayor and Travis Kelce calling each other “Jabronis,” and bad calls and no-calls ending seasons. That’s a recipe for some serious fan anger.
Diamond & Pitch Brawls Bring the Heat
Baseball and soccer rivalries hit just as hard in Cincinnati. The Chicago Cubs? More annoyance than rivalry, but still a pain when half of Great American Ball Park is blue with Cubs fans. And scoffing at ketchup on a hot dog? That’s just a low blow. But the Pittsburgh Pirates rivalry goes way, way back to the 1800s. These teams battled four times in the NLCS in the 1970s and again in 1990, with the Reds taking four wins. But the lasting image has to be Reds pitcher Amir Garrett taking on the entire Pirates team by himself in a 2019 brawl that resulted in eight suspensions. That’s legendary. And on the soccer pitch, FC Cincinnati’s rivalry with the Columbus Crew is literally called the “Hell Is Real” derby. It’s not just a highway sign between the cities, it’s about the underworld-worthy heat between the squads. The biggest salt in the wound? The Crew dashed FC’s hopes of making it to the 2023 MLS Cup Final with a dramatic win in extra time. That stings for a long, long time.
You see it across sports, right? These aren’t just games or divisions. They’re built on history, on crushing defeats, on sheer annoyance, and sometimes, on outright brawls. These rivalries shape the fan experience, making every single matchup a must-watch event where everything feels like it’s on the line. That’s the stuff true fandom is made of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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