CINCINNATI – If Ja’Marr Chase scores a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday, he definitely won’t be leaping into the Dawg Pound to celebrate.
During a press conference on Thursday, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver disclosed that jumping into the Dawg Pound was a thought he had entertained in Cleveland.
“I always wanted to jump into the Dawg Pound. I never did that, but I’ve always wanted to.”
— Ja’Marr Chase
Chase was asked if he would consider actually doing it, and he humorously replied:
“Nah, I wouldn’t do it; I heard they stabbed people in there.”
He quickly added, “I’m messing with y’all, man.”
Chase might be conflating the Dawg Pound with the Raiders’ Black Hole, where a fan actually got stabbed once in Oakland.
Nevertheless, Chase enjoys making amusing remarks about the Browns. Back in 2023, the Bengals receiver referred to the Browns as the “Elves,” a quip that backfired when the Elves bested the Bengals 24-3 in that matchup. Chase has only played four games in Cleveland, with the Bengals recording a 1-3 record. Despite being substantial underdogs, the Bengals know they can’t underestimate the Browns.
For the Bengals to win, they’ll likely depend heavily on Chase, who has had some difficulties against the Browns. In seven career games, he has averaged 5.4 receptions for 57.7 receiving yards but has managed three total touchdowns. These figures fall short of his career averages of 6.4 receptions and 87.5 yards per game.
When the Bengals take to the field at Huntington Bank Stadium, there’s a good chance he’ll receive boos after provoking the Dawg Pound with his words.
The Dawg Pound has a notorious reputation, something that the Bengals are well aware of. Back in 1989, Bengals coach Sam Wyche urged Cincinnati fans to stop throwing snowballs onto the field by telling them, “You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati.”
“You Don’t Live in Cleveland, You Live in Cincinnati.”
— Sam Wyche, December 10th, 1989
And let’s not forget that the existence of the Bengals is thanks to the former Browns owner, Art Modell, who fired Paul Brown in January 1963 after Brown won seven championships over 17 seasons. Five years later, Brown became one of the founding owners of the Bengals, marking a significant piece of NFL history.
The rivalry in Ohio is intense, and coming Sunday, fans can expect no shortage of excitement when the game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.
