Monday, Monday: Jaguars play first MNF game in 12 years when they host the Cincinnati Bengals
It’s Monday for the Jacksonville Jaguars — for the first time in 12 years.
The Jags (8-3) play host to the Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) at EverBank Stadium at 8:15 p.m. (ESPN) in their first Monday night game since Dec. 5, 2011 when they lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 38-14. The last time the Jaguars won at home on a Monday night was earlier that season, 12-7 over Baltimore.
“Yeah, it’s very exciting,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said. “It’s Monday Night Football, the history of Monday Night Football in the National Football League … you’re the only game on that day and you’re playing in front of your peers, other teams, they’re watching you. It’s exciting. We’re just hopeful that maybe we have a few more down the road.”
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Pederson also said getting more Monday night games is within the team’s hands.
“You have to earn that right to play on a Monday night or a Sunday night game,” he said. “I feel like the guys have earned that for this game and hopefully we have more to come.”
Arrive early, dress in black
The city of Jacksonville and the Jaguars are asking fans to arrive early and be in their seats by 7:45 p.m. It’s also “Black Out Night” with fans encouraged to wear black to match the team — which will be wearing black jerseys and helmets.
There still is construction ongoing in the stadium area and some streets will be closed before the game. Fans are encouraged to arrive four hours before kickoff.
If fans have mobile parking passes for stadium lots, they are encouraged to have them on their phones upon arrival.
Light Up the Bank
Fans who download the Jaguars app on their smartphones can participate in “Light Up the Bank.” The app will instruct fans on how to use a flickering light on their phones during player introductions.
The show will only work for phones in the bowl, so ticketholders are asked to be in their seats by 7:45 p.m. for the approximately five-minute show.
Game Day Patriotism
The National Anthem will be performed by Lewis Brice, a South Carolina native who has surpassed over 50 million streams across digital platforms with original songs and covers. He is the brother of country star Lee Brice. Aliveya Nixonwill interpret the an them for the hearing impaired.
The colors will be presented by members of the U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard, Station Mayport.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Chief Petty Officer Jack Bayswill be honored as the Bell Ringer for Monday’s game. Bays recently retired after serving over 20 years in the U.S. Navy. While in service, he performed five sea service deployments with three to the Persian Gulf in support of the global war on terrorism and two to humanitarian relief efforts.
Pfc. Vaughn “Sam” Humphrey will be honored as Veteran of the Game. Humphrey was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II and was shipped out to England where he was in Gen. George Patton’s 11th Armored Division. He was actively engaged in combat operations for two years in Bastogne and Ardennes Forest during the infamous Battle of the Bulge. Humphrey was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.
First ‘Duuuval’
The first “Duuuval” will be delivered by Marcus Rivero, known in the art world as Soles By Sir. Rivero is one of the artists chosen to design the cleats worn by several Jaguars players and coaches during the My Cause My Cleats game and has partnered on this initiative with the team for several years.
Halftime entertainment
Jamaican-American singer and rapper Sean Kingston will be performing the halftime show. His debut song “Beautiful Girls” reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Color scheme
The Jaguars will wear all-black uniforms.
Fan reminders
Clear bag policy: The NFL’s clear bag policy is in effect at EverBank Stadium. Fans are encouraged to leave all bags at home but if one is necessary, it should be either a clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” or a non-clear bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5.” Non-clear belt bags and fanny packs are prohibited.
Hydrate: Fans are permitted to bring one, commercially branded, factory-sealed, plastic bottle that is 16.9 oz. or less. A Cooling Bus will be available at Ramp 4 and Ramp 2 with water coolers nearby.
Cashless Transactions: Cash is no longer accepted anywhere in the stadium. In addition to traditional scan and chip options, all fixed points of sale will offer tap or scan payment options including JagsPay, Apple, Google and Samsung Pay.
Tobacco-free: EverBank Stadium is a tobacco-free facility. All tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) are prohibited. No guest re-entry will be permitted.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars vs. Bengals: Guide to first Monday night game for Jags in 12 years
