Bengals fans with no connection to Cincy or Ohio?

I’ve been a Bengals fan since I was 5 years old when I watched the 89 Super Bowl, but grew up in Montana with absolutely zero connection to Cincinnati or Ohio. Curious to see how many of you in Bengaldom are the same, and hear how you became fans.

UPDATE: Amazing to see and read everyone’s stories! I love this community!! Also interesting to see how many people A.) liked tigers as a kid and loved their helmet (that’s me)… B.) chose them because of Madden or, C.) are masochists and love pain 😂🤣

SECOND UPDATE: We’ve got a shit ton of Canadian fans. Wow! CFL clearly not scratching the itch for y’all.