In 1938 the American Pro Football Legaue (APFL) added a new team to its roster of teams.   The team was called the Cincinnati Bengals.  Originally they were going to be called the Cincinnati Coca Colas, but apparently could not get the ok from the Coca Cola Company to use this name.   

The team was formed in 1937, and they were a part of the American Football League. They played thier home games at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.  The team was the put together by Hal Pennington who was the teams first Coach as well.  

The 1937 Cincinnati Bengals finished with a 2-4-2 record in their first and only year.  Unfortunately for the team, the AFL football league folded after only its first season. The Bengals continued to play football as an independent team in 1938. 

In 1939 a new AFL League was formed and the Bengals again signed up to play football in the league.  The team finished in second place with a very respectful record of 6 wins and 2 losses.  But unfortunately, the second version of the AFL league folded like the first one after its one and only season in 1939.

In 1940, another new APFL emerged, and the Cincinnati Bengals were quick to join the league. But that AFL ended up folding like the other AFL Leagues had before do to financial difficulties including a dispute over debt between the Cincinnati Club and the Columbus Club in November of 1941 at the leagues national meetings.  Its final season was in 1941.  During the 1941 season one of the Cincinnati Bengals stand out players was  #23 John Koprowski Bengals Running Back.   and This was the end for the original Cincinnati Bengals.