Bama in the NFL: Who has Most Starts with Cincinnati Bengals?

Three stand out among former Crimson Tide players in terms of longevity with the Bengals.

If there's a Cincinnati Bengals fan in your life, here's a trivia question that might catch him or her a little by surprise: Of all the former Alabama Crimson Tide players who have suited up in the stripes over the years, only one has started 100-plus games for the franchise. Can you name him? 

For a little perspective, Jonah Williams, who is expected to be at right tackle for his contract season (and asked to be traded after the team signed Orlando Brown Jr. to play left tackle during the offseason), has started 42 games since being a first-round selection in 2019. 

We'll give you a hint, that it's not one of the players from the Nick Saban era at Alabama, although Andre Smith came very close during his three stints with the Bengals (2009-15, 2016, 2018-19).

The offensive lineman played in 121 games during his career that went from 2009-21, and included short stints with three other teams. Combined, he made 98 career starts. 

Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who like Smith was a first-round draft pick, also had a lengthy career with the Bengals (2012-19). Of his 119 career games, as he also spent time with other teams (the Cardinals and 49ers), he played 99 with Cincinnati, including 67 starts.    

Overall, he was credited with 365 career tackles, 13 interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three sacks, two defensive touchdowns and one forced fumble. 

That leaves defensive end John Copeland. The first-round selection was with the Bengals from 1993-2000, during which he played in 107 regular season games, and started 102. 

Overall, he had 324 tackles, 24 sacks, nine forced fumbles, three interceptions and a touchdown on a fumble recovery. Copeland also never played a down for another NFL team. 

Bama in the NFL: Cincinnati Bengals

The Franchise

American Football Conference 

North Division

Team Colors: Black, Orange and White

Founded: 1967

Stadium: Paycor Stadium (capacity 65,515)

Playing Surface: Twenty-Four/Seven synthetic turf system 

Training Camp: Paycor Stadium

All-Time Alabama Players

1. Tony Brown, DB, 2020
2. Simeon Castille, DB, 2008
3. John Copeland, DT, 1993 - 2000
4. Ricky Davis, DB, 1975
5. Wallace Gilberry, DE, 2012 - 2016
6. Nico Johnson, LB ,2014
7. Emanuel King, LB, 1985 - 1988
8. Dre Kirkpatrick, DB, 2012 - 2019
9. Evan Mathis, OG, 2008 - 2010
10. A.J. McCarron, QB, 2014 - 2017
11. Michael Myers, DT ,2007
12. Reggie Myles, DB, 2002 - 2005
13. Antwan Odom, DE, 2008 - 2010
14. Daniel Pope, P, 2000
15. Thomas Rayam, DT, 1992 - 1993
16. Sam Shade, DB, 1995 - 1998
17. Willie Shelby, RB, 1976 - 1977
18. Andre Smith, OT, 2009 - 2015, 2017, 2018 - 2019
19. Damion Square, DE, 2021
20. Jonah Williams, OL, 2019 - 2022

Crimson TIde Players Drafted

Year	Player	Pos.	Round	Pick	Overall
1975	Ricky Davis	S	8	13	195
1976	Willie Shelby	RB	5	14	138
1976	Joe Dale Harris	WR	12	22	341
1985	Emanuel King	DE	1	25	25
1993	John Copeland	DE		5	5
1995	Sam Shade	S	4	4	102
2009	Andre Smith	T	1	6	6
2012	Dre Kirkpatrick	CB	1	17	17
2014	AJ McCarron	QB	5	24	164
2019	Jonah Williams	T	1	11	11
2023	Jordan Battle	S	3	32	95

Super Bowl Appearances

Emmanuel King, Super Bowl XXIII, Jan. 22, 1989

King was a reserve linebackers for the Bengals, and like so many others could only watch the 92-yard winning touchdown drive by the 49ers. Receiver John Taylor hauled in a 10-yard strike from quarterback Joe Montana with 34 seconds remaining for the 20-16 victory. 

Damion Square and Jonah Williams, Super Bowl LVI, Feb. 13, 2022

Williams was the starting left tackle for the Bengals, who had their hands full with the Rams' pass rush. Regardless, the game came down to a Cooper Kupp 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford with 1:25 remaining for the 23-20 victory.

Mark J. Rebila / USA Today Sports

Notable Awards/Honors

The Crimson Tide has never had a former player with the Bengals named either All-Pro or to a Pro Bowl.

Probably the biggest honor they've collectively received was the Pro Football Writers Association named John Copeland to its 1993 All-Rookie Team.

Crimson Tide NFL Team Rundown: Cincinnati Bengals

In conjunction with our revamped Bama in the NFL Database, this is the seventh story in a series examining the team-by-team history of Alabama's former players in the NFL.

AFC

• Baltimore Ravens
• Buffalo Bills

NFC

• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• Chicago Bears

See Also

Bama in the NFL: The Ultimate Crimson Tide Database
Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team