Former Bengals Star and Legendary Broadcaster Bob Trumpy Dies at 80
Former Cincinnati Bengals star Bob Trumpy passed away on November 2, 2025, at the age of 80, at his home in Glendale, Ohio, surrounded by his family. The Cincinnati Bengals officially announced his death on Sunday, describing him as an “extraordinary player and broadcaster” whose impact on the team and the sport was immeasurable.
Who is Bob Trumpy ?
Born on March 6, 1945, in Bloomington, Indiana, Trumpy grew up in Tremont and Springfield, Illinois, where his athletic talents were evident early. At Springfield High School, he earned All-State honors in both football and basketball and even won the 1963 state long jump championship. His achievements led to his induction into multiple Illinois sports halls of fame, including the Basketball Museum of Illinois Hall of Fame (1983) and the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame (1991).
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College Career
After graduating high school in 1963, Trumpy joined the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he played as a wide receiver. His 1964 season saw him catch 28 passes for 428 yards and two touchdowns, before a knee injury sidelined him late in the year.
Trumpy later transferred to the University of Utah, switched to tight end, and caught nine passes for 159 yards and two scores in 1966. Before entering the pros, he served 180 days in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
NFL Career with the Cincinnati Bengals
After his service, Trumpy was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 12th round (301st overall) of the 1968 AFL/NFL Common Draft — and went on to become one of the franchise’s earliest stars.
He scored the first touchdown in Bengals history and played under legendary coach Paul Brown. Despite his low draft position, Trumpy quickly earned a starting role and became known for his combination of speed and size — a rare trait for tight ends of that era.
- Rookie Year (1968): 37 receptions, 639 yards, 3 TDs, and an AFL All-Star selection
- 1969: Averaged 22.6 yards per catch with 835 yards and 9 TDs; again named an AFL All-Star
- 1970 & 1973: NFL Pro Bowl selections following the AFL-NFL merger
In his 10-year career (1968–1977), Trumpy played 128 games, recording 298 receptions for 4,600 yards and 35 touchdowns — numbers that remain among the best ever by a Bengals tight end.
One of his most memorable plays came in 1977 during a driving rainstorm against the Miami Dolphins, when he caught a 29-yard touchdown on a trick “flea flicker” play involving three players. That score helped the Bengals defeat the Dolphins 23–17 and eliminate them from playoff contention.
Broadcasting Career
After retiring in 1977, Trumpy built a second legendary career in broadcasting — one that would earn him national acclaim.
His first taste of radio came in 1964, when he helped call a local basketball tournament. Post-retirement, he joined WCKY and later WLW-AM in Cincinnati, hosting a nightly sports talk show that became a local institution.
He soon joined NBC Sports as a color analyst for NFL games, working alongside Bob Costas, Don Criqui, and Dick Enberg over the years. Trumpy called four Super Bowls, four Pro Bowls, six Hall of Fame Games, and covered major events such as the Ryder Cup, Olympics, and PGA Tour golf.
In 1992, he replaced Bill Walsh as NBC’s lead NFL analyst, teaming with Dick Enberg to call Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII. He later worked for Westwood One Radio, serving as the Sunday Night Football analyst from 2000–2007.
A Moment of Compassion
One defining moment of Trumpy’s radio career occurred in 1983, when a distraught caller phoned into his WLW show threatening suicide. Trumpy calmly kept the caller on the line for over two hours, ultimately helping save their life when police arrived. The act earned him praise from law enforcement and suicide prevention advocates — and reflected his humanity beyond the microphone.
Awards and Legacy
In 2014, Trumpy was honored with the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his “longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football.”
He was also named Ohio Sportscaster of the Year four times and was widely respected for his professionalism, deep football insight, and warm presence on air.
Personal Life
Trumpy was married to Pat Trumpy, and together they had two sons, Matthew and Jason. The family lived in Glendale, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. He passed away peacefully at home on November 2, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.
💐 Remembering Bob Trumpy
From catching the first touchdown in Bengals history to calling Super Bowls and Olympics, Bob Trumpy’s life embodied excellence, humility, and service.
“He was as fast as any wide receiver and a deep threat — rare for a tight end then and rare now,” Bengals president Mike Brown said. “As a broadcaster, he did it all very well. I regret his passing.”
Bob Trumpy’s voice and legacy — both on the gridiron and through the airwaves — will forever echo in the history of American sports.
