BUCYRUS – “Who Dey?”

The Cincinnati Bengals AND their biggest fans – the Butlers from Bucyrus.

Four generations of the Butler family, starting with the patriarch, 87-year-old Charles Butler, are crazy about the team – and their chances of going all the way this year after clinching a thrilling postseason win Sunday night over their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens.

“It’s in my blood,” proclaimed the youngest Butler, eight-year-old Barrett, who attended the AFC wildcard game Sunday donning his usual gameday get-up – a Joe Burrow jersey, Bengals socks, Tiger hat, and tinted sunglasses. “They’re gonna’ win the Super Bowl.”

Barrett’s dad, Trint Butler, and his father, Chuck Butler, round out the die-hard clan. “We didn’t watch much TV but we wouldn’t miss a Bengals game, and that’s the same with Barrett,” Trint said. “We stuck with them and now we’re pretty proud of them.”

Charles Butler grew up in Vanceburg, Kentucky, just 90 miles from downtown Cincy, before moving to Bucyrus in 1966. “Back then I watched part of the game and then listened on the radio. TVs were pretty scarce. I would usually go to church and turn them on when I got home.”

Chuck, 66, was hooked at an early age and quickly became a huge Cris Collinsworth fan. “Me and dad, every Sunday, we watched the Bengals. I grew up that way and as soon as Trint was born, we had him in Cincinnati stuff and, of course, Trint’s son fell right in line.”

Trint, in fact, left the hospital after he was born wearing a two-piece orange and brown Bengals outfit.
After 41 years, that hoodie and pants are still in the family – on a Cabbage Patch doll named Donny Berkley that Barrett often holds for good luck during big games.

The AFC North team hasn’t been to the postseason much, but they played in the Super Bowl last year and had appearances in 1982 and 1989. “That was huge. I can remember that like it was yesterday,” said Trint, recalling legendary quarterbacks from that decade, Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason.

But Barrett is by far the biggest fan in “the Jungle.” He’s the proud owner of a helmet signed by “Joe Cool” and has Joe Mixon and Evan McPherson jerseys. On Sunday, he painted on “eye black” to replicate defensive end Sam Hubbard, who had the historic 98-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to give the Bengals the lead.

Last summer, the Wynford second grader was thrilled to attend a practice session at Paycor Stadium with his dad, stepmom Katie Butler, and 11-year-old sister, Kimber. For Halloween, Barrett wore none other than a No. 9 costume, complete with the star quarterback’s necklace.

“It’s fun to watch him on Sunday afternoon watching the ballgame,” his grandfather said. “We have high hopes this season. At least we’re in the playoffs again.”

But Barrett’s hopes are even higher. He wants to go to LSU. Like Burrow, and he wants to be a running back someday for the Bengals. “It’s not ‘IF,” it’s “WHEN” I play for the Bengals,” he said matter-of-factly.