When Joe Burrow threw that dud on the sidelines of the Baltimore Ravens’ game, a collective groan was released from Bengals fans. The prized and handsomely paid QB was injured and out for the rest of the season. The Bengals were screwed. Or were they? With Jake Browning taking over at the helm, the team went on to take home four more Ws. Browning’s cool head on the field led to 12 touchdowns and 1,936 passing yards. He’s also a blast to watch in post-game interviews, and Bengals fans have enjoyed seeing his family celebrate big plays from Burrow’s box. While the Bengals didn’t last as long as they have in seasons past, they still did damn good for a team led by a backup QB.

Joey Votto’s time with the Reds is over. Cincy’s favorite Canadian had a rough season as he recovered from an injury. He was gone more than he was there, missing most of the 2023 home games. He returned in time to end the season and then move on. While not everyone realized his last game was, indeed, his last game, his final wave to the stands left many Reds heads teary-eyed. After 17 seasons, 2,056 Reds games and 356 home runs, fans would have liked to see him officially retire with the Reds. Votto still bangs — but for which team?

While trail runs (especially in the Mt. Airy Forest) can be an exciting break from those laps around your neighborhood, the roots, steep hills and the other unpredictable signs of nature can turn a simple run into a miles-long hike/run. If you’re looking to keep things simple on your long runs, the Loveland Bike Trail, a 70-mile-long paved path weaving its way through Loveland, Milford, Miami Township, Newtown and Lebanon, is a great fit. For miles and miles (however long your feet will carry you), you can enjoy views of the Little Miami River and nature that frames the path beautifully during every season. lovelandbiketrail.com.

Former Bearcats Travis and Jason Kelce have been in the NFL for a hot minute now and have already made names for themselves, but when younger brother Trav began dating one of the world’s most popular singers, their fame shot through the roof. Travis and Jason have wildly different personalities and both are likable. But when Jason pulled off his shirt, shotgunned beers and celebrated with fans at the Bills Stadium earlier this year, the family man seemed most like every other proud, party animal Bearcat.

Looking back on this far-out prediction from Joey Votto is bittersweet. For one, aliens did not give the Reds the help they needed in the 2023 season, and two, we miss him already. In February, Major League Baseball's Instagram account urged users, "Drop your boldest NL Central prediction" and tagged players from the division's teams to answer, including Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto. And yes, Votto's thoughtful, reasonable, not-at-all-batshit theory was as glorious as you'd hope: “Extra terrestrials arrive on earth, April 15th. The 12-2 Reds and the rest of the planet learn from, communicate with and befriend our alien friends,” Votto commented below the post. “This process takes 5 months. Play resumes in October. The Reds sweep the playoffs and are World Series champs.” This, sadly, did not happen. But, Votto did make a side note in that wonderfully weird Instagram comment, saying: “The aliens ask if I would like to accompany them on their ship back to their plant. I oblige. Never to be seen again.”

First established in 1959, the Buckeye Trail allows hikers an incredibly unique opportunity to see around 1,400 miles of Ohio — every corner of the state and in between — on foot. The trail, which connects parks, bike trails and other natural and urban landmarks together, includes an offshoot that winds its way through eastern and northern Cincinnati and its suburbs. Though the trail technically begins in White Oak, some of the best urban hiking takes place in East Walnut Hills, Hyde Park, Madisonville and Mariemont, where an afternoon hike can be rewarded with a trip to a great restaurant or coffee shop. You can download a map of the trail on the FarOut app, and even track your progress as you make your way across Greater Cincinnati and the state. buckeyetrail.org.

Few things represent the gestalt of Cincinnati better than Skyline, but mix Skyline with our city’s beloved NFL team and you might have a hard time getting Cincinnatians to go home. Bengal Jim’s “Before the Roar” Tailgate does just that. Before home games, a passel of eager fans converge on the edge of Smale Riverfront Park just outside of Paycor Stadium. Music, a Skyline food truck dishing out coneys, drinks and fellow fans — what more could one ask for to prepare for cheering on the Bengals inside The Jungle? Bengal Jim’s Tailgate is the longest running tailgate in the city, so they know what they’re doing. The food is free, but the organizers welcome a courtesy tip to support the party. facebook.com/BengalJimsBeforeTheRoarTailgateExperience.