You’re sitting in Paycor Stadium. The humidity is thick, the air smells like skyline chili and overpriced light beer, and suddenly, a massive, anthropomorphic tiger with a permanent smirk starts leading 65,000 people in a rhythmic chant that sounds vaguely like a pirate threat.
"Who dey, who dey, who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals?"
It’s loud. It’s chaotic. And if you’re a visitor, it’s honestly a little confusing. At the center of this madness is a character that every kid in the Tri-State area knows by heart, but many casual NFL fans can't quite place. Who is the Cincinnati Bengals mascot name? His name is Who Dey.
While other teams go with fierce, realistic predators or generic tough guys, the Bengals leaned into a phonetic pun that traces its roots back to local beer commercials and a 1980s fan base that was desperately looking for an identity. Who Dey isn’t just a guy in a suit; he’s the physical manifestation of a chant that has survived decades of losing seasons, stadium name changes, and the "Bungals" era.
Where the Name Who Dey Actually Came From
People argue about this. A lot. If you go to a tailgate in the Longworth Hall parking lot, you’ll get three different answers before you finish your first burger. Some folks swear it’s a direct rip-off of the New Orleans Saints’ "Who Dat" chant. There is a connection there, sure, but the Bengals' version has a flavor that is strictly Cincinnati.
The most credible origin story involves a local brewery. In the late 70s and early 80s, the Hudepohl Brewing Company was the king of the Queen City. Their beer, colloquially called "Hudy," was everywhere. During games at the old Riverfront Stadium, vendors would walk the aisles shouting, "Hudy! Hudy! Who dey?" as they tossed cans to thirsty fans. It was a perfect linguistic coincidence. "Hudy" sounded like "Who Dey."
By the time the Bengals made their first Super Bowl run in 1981, the fans had fully adopted the "Who Dey" chant. It became the rallying cry for the "Freezer Bowl" and the iconic 1988 season. Naturally, the team needed a physical presence to match the noise. Enter the mascot.
Who Dey the mascot is a Bengal tiger, obviously. But he’s stylized with that classic 80s flair—big eyes, a friendly but mischievous grin, and a jersey that always seems to fit just right. He debuted as a way to bridge the gap between the aggressive branding of the NFL and the family-friendly atmosphere the Brown family wanted to maintain. He’s been through a few costume redesigns over the years, becoming sleeker and more "athletic" looking, but the core identity remains.
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The Personality of a Jungle King
Masoting is a weird job. You have to be funny without speaking. You have to be energetic for four hours while wearing 30 pounds of synthetic fur in the Cincinnati heat. Who Dey pulls it off by being a bit of a troll. He’s known for mocking opposing players during warmups and leading the "Who Dey" chant from the top of the dugout or the sidelines.
He isn't just a prop. He’s an athlete in his own right. During the 2021-2022 Super Bowl run, Who Dey was everywhere. He was the face of a city that hadn't seen a playoff win in 31 years. When Joe Burrow arrived and changed the culture, Who Dey was the one keeping the tradition alive on the field.
Interestingly, Who Dey has a bit of a rivalry with other mascots in the AFC North. While he’s generally considered a "friendly" mascot compared to, say, the terrifyingly intense Steely McBeam in Pittsburgh, he’s got an edge. He represents the "Jungle." That’s what fans call the stadium, and he’s the undisputed king of that concrete habitat.
Why the "Who Dey" Chant Still Causes Controversy
You can’t talk about the mascot without talking about the words. The New Orleans Saints fans will tell you until they’re blue in the face that Cincinnati stole "Who Dat."
They have a point. The "Who Dat" chant dates back to minstrel shows and vaudeville in the late 19th century and was popular in Louisiana high schools long before it hit the NFL. But Cincinnati fans don't care. To them, the "Who Dey" chant is tied to the specific cadence of the 1981 Bengals team. It’s part of the city's DNA.
The full chant is:
Who dey, who dey, who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? Who dey, who dey, who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals? Nobody!
It’s simple. It’s effective. And the mascot is the one who signals the "Nobody!" finish. It creates a feedback loop between the mascot and the fans that is arguably the strongest in the AFC North.
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Beyond the Sidelines: Who Dey in the Community
A mascot’s real work happens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Who Dey is a staple at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. He shows up at elementary schools to talk about literacy and fitness. Honestly, for a lot of kids in Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky, meeting Who Dey is a bigger deal than meeting the starting quarterback. You can see the mascot’s face; the players are hidden behind visors and helmets.
The team also uses Who Dey for "The Ben-Gals" cheerleading performances and various corporate sponsorships. He’s a brand. He’s a logo that breathes.
One of the more interesting aspects of the Cincinnati Bengals mascot name and persona is how he handles the weather. Cincinnati winters are brutal. Seeing a tiger mascot trying to navigate a snow-covered field during a playoff game is a sight to behold. He’s been seen wearing oversized scarves or even "Bengal-striped" parkas when the temperature dips below zero.
Key Facts About Who Dey
If you’re heading to a game or just want to win a bar trivia night, here’s the breakdown of what actually matters about this tiger:
The name is a phonetic play on "Who they," but it was heavily influenced by Hudepohl (Hudy) beer. He wears the number 00, though this sometimes changes for special events or specific jersey designs. He made his official debut during the 1980s, right as the team was ascending to its first period of dominance.
Unlike some mascots who have complex backstories involving being "struck by lightning" or "born in a secret cave," Who Dey’s "lore" is pretty straightforward: he’s a tiger who loves Cincinnati. It’s refreshing. No fluff, just football.
The Mascot vs. The Real Tigers
There’s a common misconception that the Bengals have a live mascot. They don't. While the LSU Tigers have Mike the Tiger living in a multi-million dollar habitat on campus, the Bengals have always stuck to the costumed variety.
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However, they do have a long-standing partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The zoo is famous for its tiger conservation efforts, and there’s often a "Bengals day" where the real tigers get some black and orange enrichment toys. Who Dey (the mascot) often shows up there to hang out with his four-legged counterparts, which makes for some pretty great social media content.
Why Mascot Branding Matters in the Modern NFL
In 2026, the NFL is more of an entertainment product than ever. The mascot is a key part of the "game day experience." When you have stars like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, the mascot needs to be just as flashy. Who Dey has leaned into the "Cool Cat" persona. You’ll see him doing the "Griddy" in the end zone or wearing custom-made cleats that match the players' gear.
It’s about "vibes." The Bengals went from being the league's basement dwellers to one of the trendiest teams in sports. Who Dey had to evolve from a goofy 80s relic to a high-energy performer who can go viral on TikTok. He’s managed it. He’s one of the few mascots that feels genuinely integrated into the team's modern "New Era" culture.
Real Talk: Is the Mascot Any Good?
Look, if you ask a Browns fan, they’ll tell you he’s annoying. If you ask a Ravens fan, they’ll probably just shrug. But in Cincinnati? He’s untouchable.
The genius of the mascot is that he doesn't try too hard. He’s a tiger in a jersey. He does the chant. He high-fives the fans. In a world of over-engineered sports branding, Who Dey is a throwback to a time when a mascot was just a guy in a suit trying to make people cheer.
He represents the resilience of the city. He was there for the 2-14 seasons. He was there for the heartbreaks against the 49ers. And he was there for the recent explosion of success. That’s why the name Who Dey carries so much weight. It’s not just a name; it’s a history of a city that refuses to be ignored.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you’re looking to catch Who Dey in action or want to bring a piece of the Jungle home, here’s how to do it:
- Visit the Jungle Early: Who Dey is almost always on the field 60 to 90 minutes before kickoff. This is your best chance for a photo op if you’re near the railings of the lower bowl.
- Check the "Who Dey" Appearance Request: Believe it or not, you can actually book the mascot for private events, weddings, or corporate parties through the official Bengals website. It’s not cheap, but for a die-hard fan, it’s the ultimate flex.
- Support Local Beer (Legacy): While Hudepohl isn't the giant it once was, you can still find it in the Cincinnati area. Grabbing a "Hudy" is the most authentic way to pay homage to the origins of the mascot's name.
- Follow the Zoo: Keep an eye on the Cincinnati Zoo’s schedule. Their tiger exhibits and "Bengals-themed" enrichment days offer a cool perspective on the real animals that inspired the mascot.
The mascot is more than a costume. He's the heartbeat of a fan base that has seen it all. Whether you think the chant is a masterpiece or a stolen rhyme, you can’t deny that Who Dey is one of the most recognizable faces in the NFL today. He’s the king of the jungle, and as long as the Bengals are playing in Cincinnati, he’ll be there, paw in the air, asking the world who they think is gonna beat 'em.
Nobody.