“This is why we’ve been losing” - Cincinnati Bengals fans blame Republican VP nominee JD Vance for turbulent season

Seeing Ohio native JD Vance in a Bengals sweatshirt did not sit well with some of the Cincinnati Bengals fans. In the AFC North, the team currently stands at 3-5 while in the AFC Playoff standings, they rank ninth.

Amid these struggles, the die-hard Bengals fans on X are now pointing fingers at Vance for Cincinnati's rocky season. This is after images of the Republican Vice Presidential nominee flaunting the grey wooly went viral.

“This is why we’ve (Cincinnati Bengals) been losing. I understand now,” wrote one frustrated fan.

Another fan quickly followed, writing, “And we will 100% lose now.”

Meanwhile, a third fan wished JD Vance would avoid flaunting his fandom, saying, "Wish he wouldn't do that. The team has enough problems."

From the Bengals fans' perspective, it is understandable how they, at all costs, want to protect their team and have it stay above the political fray.

Although, in Ohio, the Republicans outnumber the Democrats, so JD Vance sporting a Bengals sweatshirt might have been a positive nod to the local pride.

However, like the country at large, NFL fans hold a range of political beliefs. So, there are likely to be many supporters of the Bengals who are thrilled at Vance sporting the team's jersey.

Looking back though, JD Vance's fanboying over the Bengals has a history!

JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy bonded over the Cincinnati Bengals

Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Presidential candidate, who also happens to be an Ohio native, was a classmate of JD Vance at Yale Law School. During their time there, Vance and Ramaswamy bonded over rooting for the Cincinnati Bengals.

After Vance officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on July 1, 2021, Ramaswamy came forward to congratulate him on X and revealed how Vance’s Bengals pride has deep roots.

"So proud of my friend, classmate, and fellow southwest Ohioan today. We used to watch Bengals games at the bar in law school, it’s awesome we’re now here a decade later with JD joining the strongest Presidential ticket in our lifetime. He’ll be an outstanding Vice President and I look forward to everything ahead for him and for our country," wrote Ramaswamy on X on July 16, 2024.

Another fact is that Ramaswamy and Vance studied at Yale Law School from 2010 to 2013 – a period when quarterback Andy Dalton led the Bengals to three successive NFL playoff appearances (2011, 2012, 2013).