Tonight, it's personal.

Not just because of what happens on the field, but because of some special fans in the stands. Joanie Ross, the widow of former Bengals tight end Dan Ross, will attend the game with seven members of her family - son Dan Jr. and daughter Jillian; her brother Rick, brother-in-law Art and three nephews.  Dan Ross died of a heart attack at his home in Atkinson, N.H., on May 16, 2006. He was 49.    Joanie said he collapsed a half hour after completing his daily three-mile run.  "He was out jogging, came in and was sitting at the kitchen table, working on a new phone system," she said. "He was still in his running clothes. He got up and - bang - he was gone. The doctor told us, 'Honestly, even if he was at a hospital, we couldn't have saved him.' "

Nicknamed "Third and 89" because he was one of quarterback Ken Anderson's favorite targets on third down, Ross was a second-round draft pick (No. 30 overall) from Northeastern University in 1979 who spent six seasons with the Bengals - 1979-83 and 1985.
His 71 catches for 910 yards (a 12.8 average) and five TDs in 1981 helped the Bengals to the AFC title. His record 11 catches in Super Bowl XVI were good for 104 yards and two TDs in the Bengals' 26-21 loss to San Francisco. Jerry Rice (49ers) and Deion Branch (Patriots) later tied the mark.     "Dan was a tremendous player, a big factor in us making our first Super Bowl," Bengals president Mike Brown said. "He and Kenny timed up so well in the passing game. More importantly, Dan was a special person. He was held in high regard by everyone around here. It is stunning news that he is gone so prematurely."
 
When the 2007 NFL schedule was released, Joan said she wanted to bring her family out to Cincinnati from the East Coast for the Patriots-Bengals game. Brown and Bill Connelly, the Bengals business manager, took care of the tickets Joanie and her family arrived in town on Saturday, had dinner at the Montgomery Inn-Boathouse and toured the stadium on Sunday.  They'll be sitting behind the Patriots' bench, 30 rows up at the 50 yard line.
Of course, they love the Patriots. But they love the Bengals, too. Tonight, they can't lose. It's very, Very, VERY personal.

Chick Ludwig Growlzone.com Cincinnati Bengals News