Karras calls it “a no-brainer,” move. It began right outside the Holy Grail, Jim Moehring’s oasis between Paycor Stadium and Great American Ball Park. During BengalJim’s “Jungle to the Hall,” event, just after spring ball last year. Anderson wandered down to Karras’ table and bought a Cincy hat and they talked a little bit. Both were interested in what the other was doing.
The next thing Karras knew, a case of Kenny’s Dey Drinkin’ Lager beer arrived at the Bengals locker room for him with a note and a phone number. The next thing they knew, there were talking over a beer at Dickmann’s Café in Fort Wright and then another day up at MVP’s, a Silverton bar right near the KAA offices.
They sketched out the logo and everything else. Anderson has KAA on his helmet. Karras plays for ‘Cincy.’ In between, Anderson swung by the Village of Merici on his way back from a trip to Chicago.
“A lot of synergy,” Anderson says. “All the proceeds from the Cincy Hat still go to the Village. The T-Shirt is out hat.”
Two Illinois guys. A center and a quarterback. Andreson could have seen Karras on head coach Paul Brown’s ’75 Bengals.
“Tough, smart,” Anderson says. “It’s funny. I was telling him I grew up in Batavia and he knew exactly where it was. His wife is from the next town over. In Geneva. You talk about a small world.”
“I had heard about Kenny growing up reading my football history,” Karras says. “I knew he went to Augustana, a Division III school. Not really the suburbs up there in the north-central part. And, what? He was one of (eight) in our Ring of Honor. That says a lot.”
When they were auctioning off each other’s jerseys, Karras couldn’t resist.
“Kenny was playing when they had long sleeves,” Karras said.
“Because this is a mixed audience,” Anderson said, “I won’t say something not very nice to that comment.”
But Anderson made sure Karras got S1,000 for No….
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