The Greatest Insult to Injury NFL Moments in History
By Erik Lambert
#1: Bill Walsh beats Bengals in the Super Bowl…twice
The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t have karma on their side in this one. Bill Walsh had spent years crafting their offense into one of the most innovative in the NFL of that time. They were considered a rising power in the AFC. Everything looked like he was the heir apparent to take over for the aging Paul Brown. Then the team owner pulled a left turn, going with Bill Johnson instead.
Completely deflated and feeling betrayed, Walsh decided to resign. This despite the many pleas of his players to stay. Without him, the offense fell apart. The Bengals did not make the playoffs again until 1981 when they finally reached the Super Bowl. The only problem was a familiar face was waiting. Walsh, leading his new 49ers team ruined Cincinnati’s dreams in a 26-21 victory.
He wasn’t done though. Seven years later he rubbed 10-times the salt in the wound when he beat the Bengals in the Super Bowl again, this time with a last-minute 4th quarter comeback in which his history-making offense was at its best. Walsh retired after the game. Cincinnati hasn’t even been close to a Super Bowl since.