Everything to Know for the Cincinnati Bengals' 'Color Rush' White Uniform Game Vs. the Miami Dolphins

Finally, it's here!

For years, Cincinnati Bengals fans have begged for white helmets, and the time has finally come. When the Bengals take on the Miami Dolphins at Paycor Stadium on Sept. 29, they'll sport a new look that will be one for the history books. Below, get the lowdown on the new uniforms, the game itself and fun ways for fans to celebrate.

The game

Kickoff for the Bengals vs. Dolphins at Paycor Stadium will be at 8:15 p.m. Sept. 29. Going into the game, the Bengals are 1-2, while the Dolphins are 3-0.

The Bengals' win came against the New York Jets on Sept. 25, with quarterback Joe Burrow throwing for three touchdowns and 275 yards. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase also tussled with Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, a University of Cincinnati alum who recently launched the limited-edition "Sauce sauce" at Buffalo Wild Wings. The win seems to be bringing back the Bengals' mojo, with most players contributing to the victory.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor praised Burrow for pulling the team together as he did during February's Super Bowl LVI run.

"He [Burrow] manages this team as well as anybody possibly could. He did a great job," Taylor told reporters after the game. "I can think of the touchdown to Ja'Marr [Chase]. It was a tough one. It's kind of off balance, he gets hit and throws that slant in there. I thought that he did a really nice job executing our offense, giving us some explosive plays."

"It was a classic 'Joey B' game, throwing deep shots," center Ted Karras added. "Big boy football, and what we're striving to be."
The reigning AFC Champions will be battling an undefeated Dolphins team that's been strengthening its passing game, plus cornerback Xavian Howard is on his way to breaking the Dolphins' interception record for the position (he currently stands at 27, while cornerbacks coach and former player Sam Madison has 31). He may be out with a groin injury, though.

There's also Burrow's projected face-off against Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The pair had played against each other while Burrow was at Louisiana State University and Tagovailoa fronted the University of Alabama's team. Though he hasn't had the success that Burrow has seen, Tagovailoa has thrown for a respectable 925 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions through three games.

But Tagovailoa nailed his head on the turf during the second quarter of the  Dolphins' Sept. 25 game against the Buffalo Bills and then wobbled and fell to the ground when trying to rise. He was diagnosed with a head injury, left the game for the remaining two minutes and then returned for the second half. The NFL Players Association asked for an investigation to make sure concussion protocols were followed. That investigation is ongoing, but the NFL has indicated that Tagovailoa was properly taken care of.

"Every indication from our perspective is that it was," NFL senior vice president Jeff Miller recently told the Washington Post. "I know the player, the coach and others have spoken to this, and we are engaged in that review now. So, we’ll come back with a formal answer to that question, something that we want to engage in."

As of press time, Tagovailoa's status for the game against the Bengals is uncertain.

The uniforms

The Bengals will debut their new white tiger alternate helmet during the Sept. 29 game against the Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium. Shortly after showing off the helmets in July – and marking the first regular season since the NFL said it would finally lift a long-held rule that prohibited secondary or alternate helmets – the team also announced that it would use an alternate white jersey. As with the helmets, the NFL noted that beginning this season, teams could pair the alternate helmet with an alternate, classic or "Color Rush" jersey.

During the game with the Dolphins, the Bengals pair the white helmet with a white jersey and white pants, both with black stripes and lettering, according to press materials.

The Hall of Famers

During halftime, the team will induct offensive tackle Willie Anderson and wide receiver Isaac Curtis into the Bengals' Ring of Honor. They'll join Paul Brown, Ken Anderson, Anthony Muñoz and Ken Riley, who were inducted as the inaugural class in 2021. The Ring of Honor recognizes former players, coaches and individuals who have significantly affected the franchise.

Viewing details

The Sept. 29 Bengals vs. Dolphins game is part of "Thursday Night Football," which means that the game will be nationally televised. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m., while coverage will begin at 7 p.m. Fans in Cincinnati can watch the game on WCPO-TV Channel 9, while anyone can view via Amazon Prime Video or the NFL+ website/app.

Fans can watch the Bengals in primetime several other times this season, including when the Bengals take on the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 2 (ABC/ESPN). On the road, the Bengals will battle the Ravens at 8:20 p.m. Oct. 9 (NBC), the Browns at 8:15 p.m. on Halloween (ESPN) and the Steelers at 8:20 p.m. on Nov. 20 (NBC).

The team's five primetime spots are the maximum permitted by the NFL.

The fun

Fans can tailgate at The Banks before Bengals games. For the Sept. 29 game, fans can arrive as early as 4 p.m. to the DORA district on E. Freedom Way between Race Street and Joe Nuxhall Way. The tailgate area will feature games, music and food.
Gold Star will serve “White Bengal” white cheddar on all cheese-topped orders on Sept. 29 for one day only. According to press materials, the special cheese will celebrate the Bengals' new white helmet and uniform combo.

As the regional chili chain has done in the past, Gold Star gives fans one free regular 3-, 4- or 5-Way with the purchase of another one of equal or greater value the day after the Bengals win. The Who Dey Way promotion is good all season long no matter if the win occurs on home turf or elsewhere. The promo is available at all Gold Star locations for drive-in, carry-out, dine-in and online; mention the Who Dey Way special when ordering.

Stay connected with CityBeat. Subscribe to our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google News, Apple News and Reddit.

Send CityBeat a news or story tip or submit a calendar event.