20 years ago, you probably wouldn't believe Corey Dillon would be immortalized in Cincinnati Bengals history. Time really does heal.
Dillon, the Bengals' all-time leading rusher, has been announced along with former defensive tackle Tim Krumrie as the Bengals Ring of Honor 2024 inductees.
Krumrie proved to be one of the toughest players in franchise history, playing 188 games in 12 years in Cincinnati. His time with the team has always been revered without controversy, as indicated by his induction just three years after the inaugural class.
The same can't be said about Dillon, which is why his induction means something unique to him.
Corey Dillon arrives right where he should be
The numbers Dillon put up during the darkest days of Bengals history tell the story with full context. While the rest of the team was a categorial mess, Dillon ran hard for 107 mostly painful outings against stacked boxes that showcased zero respect for whomever Dillon's quarterback happened to be.
Put in enough effort without equal amounts to support you being reciprocated, and animosity can easily be formed. It first became public when Dillon called out team president Mike Brown, saying, "we will never win with the Brown family in Cincinnati" in 2001. Two years later, his last game in Paul Brown Stadium saw him throw his equipment into the stands.
Two decades later, that water is under the bridge. Dillon and Brown have gone beyond making amends as Dillon's #28 will be right alongside the franchise's all-time greats this September in Week 3 .
"It was a beautiful conversation, man," Dillon told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com . "To be honest with you, it was just like appreciating each other. I deeply appreciated that call from him. That meant a lot to me to finally have that conversation. It felt like we put a lot of stuff to rest just with that conversation alone.
"It meant a lot for me to hear these words. 'You deserve to be in there,' and I was like, 'I appreciate it. I deeply appreciate it,'" Dillon continued. "And I just told him thanks for drafting me and allowing me to grow. And he thanked me for everything I did for the organization. It was just a good conversation."
Of course, Brown didn't have to vote Dillon in. That was up to the fans, specifically Season Ticket Members and Suite Holders. The eventual Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots shared he didn't rock with the voting process last year.
Clearly, he didn't have to make his point a second time.
Now set with their fourth class since its inception in 2021, the Bengals Ring of Honor used to be a major wish for fans of all ages. Getting to witness franchise greats have their moment of commemoration is something fans of every other team have gotten to experience. Brown's Bengals were once again late to the party, but late is always better than never.
Dillon is arguably the best example as to why the Ring of Honor should exist. He's the greatest player to ever play for the team at his position, but he's never been given the opportunity to be recognized for it. That stings more considering how his run with the organization deteriorated and eventually ended.
Giving him his moment in the spotlight to officially reconcile all the friction will be cathartic in all the right ways, and a reminder that time is one of our best medicines.
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