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71 days till Bengals season opener: Every player to wear No. 71 for Cincinnati

When it comes to jersey numbers, the No. 71 is a pretty big one for the Cincinnati Bengals.

That’s the number Hall of Fame finalist Willie Anderson wore for the duration of his career. It’s the same one worn by La’el Collins right now. Rufus Mayes was a very productive player in the 70s while wearing it and even former first-rounder Andre Smith chose it.

So with roughly 71 days until the Bengals open the season against the Cleveland Browns, we thought it was the perfect time to step back and outline every player to wear the No. 71 in franchise history, per the lore recorded at Pro Football Reference.

Xavier Williams, 2020

Ralph Tamm, 1999

Andre Smith, 2009-2019

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Riley Reiff, 2021

(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
(AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

Rufus Mayes, 1970-1978

Chris Lindstrom, 1983

Pete Koch, 1984

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Garry Howe, 1993

Rod Horn, 1980-1981

(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Mike Hammerstein, 1986-1990

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

John Fletcher, 1987

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

La'el Collins, 2022-2023

Syndication: The Enquirer
Syndication: The Enquirer

Willie Anderson,1996-2007

Story originally appeared on Bengals Wire