Few players in Bengals history began their career with as much of a bang than linebacker Bill Bergey, the club’s second-round pick out of Arkansas St. in 1969. That year, the 6-foot, 4-inch, 243-pound middle linebacker won the AFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the Pro Bowl.
"Bergey was big for his time, 250-some. He was Burfict who could run 4.6,” recalled Bengals owner and president Mike Brown. “He had range. He could 'nub em' - meaning when he hit 'em, they stopped. They didn't carry him. He knocked 'em over backwards. He was a tremendous player for us.