Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Who is Mark Daniel Ronson?

Who is Mark Daniel Ronson? The entertainment and music world knows him as a Mark Ronso British DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronso & The Business Intl.While his debut album Here Comes the Fuzz failed to make an impact on the charts, his second album, Version included three top ten hits and won Ronson a BRIT Award for Best Male Artist 2008. His third studio album, Record Collection, was released on 27 September 2010.

Early life


Samantha Ronson
Ronson was born September 4 1975, at the Wellington Hospital, St John's Wood, to writer/socialite Ann Dexter-Jones and one-time band manager and real estate entrepreneur Laurence Ronson.[3] His parents are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, with ancestors from Austria, Russia, and Lithuania, and Ronson was brought up in Conservative Judaism.[4][5] Ronson's family name was originally Aaronson but his grandfather Henry Ronson changed it to Ronson.[6] Ronson is related to British Conservative politicians Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Leon Brittan,[3] as well as Odeon Cinemas founder Oscar Deutsch.[7] Ronson has younger twin sisters, Charlotte Ronson, a fashion designer, and Samantha Ronson, a singer and DJ. Ronson also has five younger half-siblings. Alexander and Annabelle, through his mother's remarriage to Mick Jones as well as David, Henrietta, and Joshua, through his father's remarriage to Michele
Mick Jones
Human. After his parents broke up, his mother married Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones, which contributed to a childhood surrounded by music.[8]

Career

Ronson went to high school at the private Collegiate School in New York.[9] Attending Vassar College and then New York University (NYU), Ronson became a regular at downtown hip hop spots and made his name as a DJ on the New York club scene in 1993, charging $50 per job. Though a novice with little experience, he became known for his diverse, genre-spanning selection. Influenced by funk, the hip hop scene of New York and the more rock influence of the UK (all of which he incorporated in his sets) he attracted a wider audience. He was soon one of the most respected DJs and was being called on for celebrities' private parties. In 1999, Ronson was featured in an ad wearing Tommy Hilfiger denim in the recording studio for an ad campaign for the company.[10]
He provided the score for the 2011 film Arthur.

Here Comes the Fuzz and initial producing

He moved on, however, to producing music after Nikka Costa's manager heard one of his gigs and introduced the musicians. He produced her song "Everybody Got Their Something", and soon Ronson signed a record contract with Elektra Records. Mark had produced tracks for Hilfiger ads, and in 2001 used the connection to have Costa's single "Like a Feather" used in an ad.[11]
Ronson's first album, Here Comes the Fuzz, was released in 2003 and was critically acclaimed and a financial success, despite initially poor sales. On the album, he wrote the songs, made the beats and played guitar, keyboards, and bass. The album featured artists from diverse genres, including Mos Def, Jack White, Sean Paul, Nikka Costa, Nappy Roots and Rivers Cuomo.[12] The best known song from the album, "Ooh Wee", samples "Sunny" by Boney M and features Nate Dogg, Ghostface Killah, Trife Da God, and Saigon.



It was featured that year in the movie Honey and its soundtrack. The song was later used in the movies Hitch and Harold &; Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.[12] Two weeks after releasing Here Comes the Fuzz, Elektra Records dropped him.[13] Ronson has since produced multiple songs on the albums of singers Lamya,[14] Macy Gray,[15] Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, and Robbie Williams.
Ronson became one of the regular DJs at Justin Timberlake's New York club, Suede, when it opened in 2003.[16]
In 2004, Ronson formed his own record label, Allido Records, a subsidiary of Sony BMG's J Records, along with his longtime manager Rich Kleiman. The first artist he signed to Allido was rapper Saigon, who later left to sign with Just Blaze's Fort Knox Entertainment. He has signed Rhymefest, most well-known for winning the Grammy for co-writing Kanye West's "Jesus Walks".

Version (album)

Ronson released a cover of The Smiths' track "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" under the title "Stop Me" on 2 April 2007, featuring singer Daniel Merriweather, which reached number 2 in the UK singles charts, the biggest hit for Ronson to date.



 Ronson remixed the Bob Dylan song "Most Likely You'll Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" in promotion for the three disc Bob Dylan set titled Dylan released October 2007. Ronson has also produced Candie Payne's "One More Chance (Ronson mix)" in 2007.
The album has been well received by critics. In May 2007 it was awarded the title Album of the Month by the British dance music magazine, Mixmag. On 23 June, the DJ made the cover of the Guardian newspaper's Guide magazine, alongside singer Lily Allen.
In June 2007, Ronson signed DC hip hop artist Wale to Allido Records. In late 2007, he focused on production, working with Daniel Merriweather on his debut album, and recording again with Amy Winehouse and Robbie Williams.[17]
On 24 October 2007 Ronson performed a one-off set at The Roundhouse in Camden, London as part of the BBC Electric Proms 2007. The performance featured the BBC Concert Orchestra and included special guests Terry Hall, Sean Lennon, Tim Burgess, Alex Greenwald, Ricky Wilson, Charlie Waller, Adele and Kyle Falconer.[18]
Ronson received a Grammy Award nomination in early December 2007 for 'Producer of the Year, Non Classical', along with Timbaland and Mike Elizondo. Ronson's work with Amy Winehouse also received substantial praise, gaining 6 nominations. Back to Black, an album mostly produced by Ronson was nominated for 'Album of the Year' and 'Best Pop Vocal Album'. "Rehab" received nods for 'Best Female Pop Vocal Performance', 'Song of the Year' and 'Record of the Year'. Ronson would go on to win three Grammys for 'Producer of the Year' as well as 'Best Pop Vocal Album' and 'Record of the Year' (which he shared with Amy Winehouse) in early February 2008.[19]
Ronson is credited as producer on a mixtape album called Man in the Mirror, released in January 2008 by the rapper Rhymefest which is a tribute to the pop star Michael Jackson. The album features Rhymefest appearing to speak to Michael Jackson using archive audio from interviews with the pop star.
Later in January 2008, Ronson received three nominations for the Brit Awards, including 'Best Male Solo Artist', 'Best Album' (Version) and 'Song of the Year' ("Valerie"). Ronson won his first Brit for 'Best Male Solo Artist' in mid February 2008 over favorite Mika. He also performed a medley of "God Put a Smile upon Your Face" with Adele, "Stop Me" with Daniel Merriweather and "Valerie" with Amy Winehouse.
The performance allowed for a large boost in sales in the iTunes UK Top 100. "Valerie" would jump almost 30 spots in the days after the event, while "Just", "Stop Me" and "Oh My God" all appeared in the chart as well. That same week, Ronson appeared twice in the UK Top 40, with "Valerie" rebounding to number 13 and "Just" at number 31, his fourth Top 40 hit from "Version". The Brits performance also allowed for "Version" to climb 18 spots to number 4.
Around this time, Ronson received his first number one on an international chart (Dutch Top 40) for "Valerie", which has spent four consecutive weeks at the top of the chart. He collaborated with Kaiser Chiefs on their third album.[20]
Ronson has toured the album "Version" vigorously through both the UK and Europe during 2008. Notable sold out performances at The Hammersmith Apollo and Brixton Academy. Ronson is known to champion new upcoming artists on the road with him, such as Sam Sparro and Julian Perretta. Ronson's string backing was provided by the all-female string quartet Demon Strings. In May 2008, Ronson played at the largest private party in the world, the Trinty Ball in Trinity College Dublin.



On 2 July 2008 in Paris, Mark Ronson performed a unique live set with Duran Duran for an exclusive, invitation-only performance. Together, they showcased specially re-worked versions of some of Duran Duran's classic hits that were created by Ronson, along with tracks from the band's new album, Red Carpet Massacre. Ronson & the Version Players also brought Ronson's acclaimed live show to the event, performing songs from his album Version. Simon LeBon was one of his featured guest vocalists. As of March 2009 Ronson was working with the group on their upcoming 13th album.[21] The Album, titled All You Need Is Now was released digitally exclusively via Apple's iTunes on 21 December 2010. A physical release with an expanded track list will be released in March 2011.[dated info][22]

Record Collection

At the launch of his most recent Gucci pop-up store in London, Ronson confirmed the name of his new album Record Collection, and said that he hoped to have it out by September 2010. Additionally, Ronson announced the name of his new band, "The Business Intl.'", which is the alias adopted by Ronson on the third studio album. The first single "Bang Bang Bang". which featured rapper Q-Tip and singer MNDR[23] was released on 12 July 2010, where it peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, giving Ronson his fourth Top 10 hit.



The single also saw success on the Irish Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 18. The second single from the album, "The Bike Song", was 19 September 2010[24] and features Kyle Falconer from The View and Spank Rock. The album was released on 27 September 2010. This is the first of Ronson's albums that he has sung on.[25]

Videos

Personal life

Ronson spends his time between New York and London; due to this and his childhood he has a Mid-Atlantic English accent. Ronson is the nephew of property tycoon Gerald Ronson. Mark has two sisters who are twins: Charlotte is a fashion designer and his other sister Samantha is a DJ and singer. He lived next door to, and was friends with, Sean Lennon. Ronson became a naturalised citizen of the United States in 2008.[27]
Rashida Jones
In 2002, he began dating Quincy Jones's daughter, actress/singer Rashida Jones[28] They became engaged in March 2003, with Ronson proposing by creating a crossword puzzle with the message "Will you marry me".[29] They later broke up. In the beginning of 2008, Ronson briefly dated English model/socialite Daisy Lowe.[30] Ronson went on to date Tennessee Thomas,[31] the English drummer of American indie girl band The Like, but they split in early 2009.
Joséphine de La Baume
In March 2009, Ronson was pictured with French actress and singer Joséphine de La Baume.[32] She featured in his 2010 video for "The Bike Song." The couple got engaged in February 2011.[33]
In 2009 he participated in PETA's "Please Don't Wear Any Fur" campaign.[34] He was also voted the most stylish man in UK by GQ magazine.[35]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions[36] Certifications[37]
(sales threshold)
UK AUS BEL IRE NL NZ SWI US
2003 Here Comes the Fuzz
70 — — — — — — —
  • UK: Silver
2007 Version
2 — — 21 44 — 51 129
  • UK: 2× Platinum
2010 Record Collection [A]
2 6 61 16 67 33 40 81
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year Title Chart positions[36] Album
UK AUS AUT IRE NL NZ SWI Hottest 100
2003 "Ooh Wee" (featuring Ghostface Killah, Nate Dogg & Trife)





15





—





—





9





82





—





—





—
 Here Comes the Fuzz
2006 "Just" (featuring Alex Greenwald)





48





—





—





—





—





—





—





—
 Exit Music
2007 "Toxic" / "God Put a Smile upon Your Face"





—





—





—





—





—





—





—





—
 Version
"Stop Me" (featuring Daniel Merriweather)





2





—





—





38





—





—





11





—
"Oh My God" (featuring Lily Allen)





8





72





—





21





—





—





—





—
"Valerie" (featuring Amy Winehouse)





2





75





5





3





1





39





4





—
2008 "Just" (featuring Phantom Planet)





31





—





—





—





—





—





—





—
2010 "Bang Bang Bang" (featuring MNDR & Q-Tip) [A]





6





16





75





18





68





25





65





17
 Record Collection
"The Bike Song" (featuring Kyle Falconer & Spank Rock) [A]





17





66





—





—





—





—





—





35
"Somebody to Love Me" (featuring Boy George & Andrew Wyatt) [A]





55





—





—





—





—





—





—





10
Other charted songs
Year Title Chart positions[36] Album
UK US Rhy
2003 "International Affair" (featuring Sean Paul & Tweet)





—





21
 Here Comes the Fuzz
2007 "God Put a Smile upon Your Face" (featuring The Daptone Horns)





63





—
 "Stop Me" – single
"No One Knows" (featuring Domino)





66





—
Notes:
  • A - As Mark Ronson & The Business Intl.

Production discography

Albums

Singles

Awards

 Winner

  • Grammy Award 2008 Producer of the Year - Non-Classical, Record of the Year (with Amy Winehouse), Best Pop Vocal Album (also with Winehouse)
  • The BRIT Awards 2008 Best British Male Solo Artist
  • Vodafone Live Music Awards - Best Live Male - Winner 2008
  • Glamour Women of the Year - Men of the Year - Winner 2008

 Nominations

  • BRIT Awards 2008 Best Album - Version, Best Single Valerie (feat. Amy Winehouse)
  • MOBO Awards 2010 Best Video - Bang Bang Bang (feat. Q-Tip & MNDR), Best Song - Bang Bang Bang (feat. Q-Tip & MNDR)


Mark, , Samantha, and Ann Dexter-Jones (Family Photo)


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Who is William Perry?


Who is William Perry? The professional football knows him as the "The Refrigerator" or, abbreviated, "The Fridge", he is a former professional American football player. He is best known for his years as a defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears. In reference to his large size (relative to his time---later NFL players would be much larger), he was popularly known as

 Life and athletic career

Perry was born December 16, 1962 in Aiken, South Carolina. After a successful career at Aiken High School (South Carolina), Perry played college football at Clemson University. In 1985, he was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Nicknamed "The Refrigerator" for his gargantuan, square-like frame, Perry was 6 ft 2 in and weighed 382 lb (173.3 kg) at his peak weight. He quickly became a favorite of the Chicago Bears fans.
Perry, who wore number 72 as a Chicago Bear, became famous for his prowess as a defensive lineman. In addition, Perry was used as a fullback when his team was near the opponents' goal line or 4th and short situations, either as a ball carrier or a lead blocker for running back Walter Payton. During his rookie season, Perry rushed for 2 touchdowns and caught a pass for one. Perry was once used in a surprise play during a Pro Bowl game as an offensive lineman.
Perry even had the opportunity to run the ball during Super Bowl XX, as a nod to his popularity and contributions to the team's success. The first time he got the ball, he was tackled for a one-yard loss while attempting to throw his first NFL pass on a halfback option play. The second time he got the ball, he scored a touchdown.
Perry went on to play for ten years in the NFL. His Super Bowl ring size is the largest of any professional football player in the history of the event. His ring size is 25, while the ring size for the average adult male is between 10 and 12.[1]
Perry retired after the 1994 season. In his 10 years as a pro, he played in 138 games, recording 29.5 sacks and 5 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 71 yards. In his offensive career he ran 5 yards for 2 Tds. Perry later attempted a comeback, playing the 1996 season with the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football (later NFL Europa).

Beyond football



  • In 2006, he came out with a barbecue sauce.[2]
  • In 2006, he participated in the Lingerie Bowl as the super sub.
  • Perry participated in a World Wrestling Federation battle royal at WrestleMania 2 in Rosemont, Illinois. In 2006, he returned to the Chicago area to be inducted into the "Celebrity Wing" of the WWE Hall of Fame by John Cena.
  • In 2002 he lost in the third round to 7 ft 7 in (2.3 m) former NBA basketball player Manute Bol in a charity boxing match on the Fox Network's Celebrity Boxing program. Perry entered the match visibly above his NFL playing weight.
  • The Fridge is one of several real people to be immortalized as a 3.75 inch (9.53 cm) G.I. Joe action figure. Like Sgt. Slaughter before him, Perry's figure was available through mail order. The figure was offered in 1986, the same year the Bears defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
  • During his popular tenure with the Bears, Perry participated in the recording of two rap records, both in 1985, in addition to the team's very popular "Super Bowl Shuffle".
  • Walter Payton and Perry recorded an anti-drug, pro-peace rap tune entitled "Together" which was written by four Evanston, Illinois teens. It was re-released in 1999 with part of the profits going to the Walter Payton Foundation.
  • Popular rap trio The Fat Boys recorded a twelve-inch single titled "Chillin' with the Refrigerator" released on Sutra Records.[3]
  • A novelty hit, "Frig-O-Rator", was released in December 1985 on the Motown label by Roq-In' Zoo and featured sound bites of Bears game plays. The following year The Fridge was yet again remembered in a rap song, this time by the obscure Los Angeles-based hip-hop group Hard Machine who released the single "Refrigerator".
  • In 2000, he was defeated by Bob Sapp in a toughman boxing competition on FX.
  • In 2003, he appeared in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest as a "celebrity contestant". He stopped eating 5 minutes into the competition. This was parodied in an episode of TV Funhouse from the November 11, 2006 episode of Saturday Night Live in which Takeru Kobayashi plays a hot dog eating superhero. After Kobayashi saves the day by eating a lot of hot dogs, a cartoon William Perry makes an appearance saying "Damn!" in Japanese.
  • In 2003, he appeared in a TV movie by Comedy Central called Windy City Heat, where a man named Perry Caravello was made to believe he was acting in a major motion picture.
  • He starred in a commercial in the 1980s with Jim McMahon, fellow Chicago Bears teammate for Coke Classic and Coke.
  • Appears on the Chef Tony infomercial endorsing My Rotisserie in a number of acted scenes where he plays poker with his friends, while singing the praises of the kitchen appliance.
  • He made a guest appearance in the '80s TV show The A-Team. In the 21st episode of the 4th season ('The Trouble with Harry') "Fridge" signs in to the same hospital The A-Team is using to help their friend Harry recover. Throughout the episode, Perry only has a few lines (including the funny: "They'll never catch him," referring to his NFL playing days), but he gives out 'Bears' caps in the final scene. B. A. Baracus and Hulk Hogan (who guest starred in the episode as well) react angrily when they don't get a cap, but the large sized Perry is able to calm them down with his huge smile.
  • He also made a short appearance in the opening of According to Jim (Season 8, Episode 15).[4]
After he retired as a player, Perry founded his own small commodity hedge fund in his native South Carolina and made numerous public appearances.
Recently, he was named Director of Football Operations for the Continental Indoor Football League's Chicago Slaughter.
In June 2008, he was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, a chronic inflammation disorder of the peripheral nerves.[5] On April 22, 2009, Perry was hospitalized in South Carolina in serious condition from his Guillain-Barré syndrome.[6] Perry spent approximately a month in the hospital before being released. At one point his weight fell to 190 pounds, before going back up to 275 pounds.
Super Bowl Shuffle
During Super Bowl XLIV, Perry joined other members of the 1985 Chicago Bears in resurrecting the Super Bowl Shuffle in a Boost Mobile commercial.[7]
In June 2010, it was reported that Perry now suffered from hearing loss, but also that he was improving after his diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. He had lost more than one hundred pounds, but was, by this time, back up to 330 pounds.[8]
In February 2011, ESPN ran a somber article about him, citing ongoing health and drinking problems, and a weight of 400 pounds.[9]
In April 2011, Cliff Forrest, a 10 year-old child, accidentally bought a replica Perry Super Bowl ring for $8,500 thinking it was the actual, and gave the ring to Perry. [10]

 

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Who is Michael Brown?

Who is Michael Brown? The professional football world knows him as Mike Brown, he is the owner of the Cincinnati Bengals, an American football team in the National Football League. He is the son of former Cleveland Browns, Ohio State University and Cincinnati Bengals coach/co-founder, Paul Brown.
Brown's ownership has been criticized for a lack of on-field success, his refusal to cede football operations to a general manager and the team's relationship with Hamilton County before and after a voter-approved tax increase to fund Paul Brown Stadium.

 Before Bengals ownership

Paul Brown
He is one of two sons by Paul Brown and was born in August 10, 1935. (His brother, Pete, is currently the Senior Vice-President of Bengals' player personnel.[1]) He studied law and was the football team's quarterback at Dartmouth College, graduating in 1957.[2] In an unusual meeting between future sports owners, eventual New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner hired him to a summer job as a deck hand for Kinsman Marine Transit Company.[3]
Brown eventually followed his father into football management. Paul Brown founded the Bengals, then an American Football League team, in 1968. (This was several years after Paul Brown was dismissed as Cleveland Browns head coach in a well-publicized falling out with Art Modell). Mike Brown began his executive duties with the Bengals as assistant general manager. Along with personnel decisions, he was a spokesperson for the team on issues of league rules and team policy.[4][5]

Taking over the team

He assumed ownership responsibilities upon his father's death in August 1991[6] and has remained in the ownership position since. His first significant move as owner was to fire popular coach Sam Wyche after the 1991 season (although he originally claimed that Wyche resigned).[7] Days later, Brown hired Dave Shula to be head coach, making Shula (at the time) the second youngest NFL head coach in history and making Dave and Don Shula the first father-son to lead different NFL teams in the same year.[8] Going into 1993, Brown sought to negotiate a new lease with Cincinnati to keep the Bengals in the city.

Threats to move and a new stadium deal

Initially, Brown rejected advances from other cities to discuss moving the team.[9] By 1995, he felt Riverfront Stadium's small seating capacity and lack of luxury boxes prohibited the Bengals' success.[10]
In 1995, he announced that Cincinnati had breached its lease agreement when it was late by one week in paying $167,000 in concession receipts.[11] He threatened to move the team to Baltimore if Cincinnati or Hamilton County would not fund a new stadium.[12] The leverage of this threat proved successful as Cincinnati’s City Council and the Hamilton County Commissioners opted to fund the new Paul Brown Stadium with a proposed county sales tax increase, which needed voter approval. In 1996, Hamilton County voters passed a one-half percent sales tax increase to fund the building of a new facility for the Bengals and a second new facility for the Major League Baseball Cincinnati Reds.,[13] the Bengals filed suit against the County for the right to manage it in 2000.[14] County commissioners agreed to let a Bengals' subsidiary run the stadium[15] and it opened later that year.[16]

In 2007, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune (a former Cincinnati City Council member, though not Commissioner at the time the parties executed the lease), filed a lawsuit in federal district court against the NFL, the Bengals and the other 31 NFL teams. Portune felt, among other things, that published revenues from 1995-1999 [17] contradicted Brown's claims of financial distress. The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners eventually was substituted as the plaintiff in the case.[11] Fans supporting Portune cite what they feel is the broken promise that the Bengals would "be more competitive" with a new stadium.[18] The Bengals have had only two winning seasons out of 11 since the stadium opened.
Rick Eckstein, co-author of "Public Dollars, Private Stadiums," describes the Hamilton County arrangement as "the single most lopsided stadium deal since 1993" and questions Bob Bedinghaus'[19] role with the team after having been County Commissioner when the deal was reached.[20] A 2008 Forbes survey suggests the team's rankings in direct revenues have dropped since the stadium's construction (placing the team 21st in total value at $941 million).[21]
The Bengals have requested that the County extend the lease for the stadium for 20 years, while Portune maintains his criticisms of the original agreement.[22][23]

Lack of on-the-field success

Since Brown became owner, the team has had only 2 winning seasons out of 20 and has a winning percentage of .361 (115-204-1) in the regular season and .000 (0-2) in the playoffs.[24] In 2008, the Bengals set a record for the most games needed under one specific owner to attain 100 wins (288). In 2010, the team set a record for the least games needed to lose 200 (both considering and not considering playoffs) under one specific owner (314).[25]
The Bengals hold a number of distinctions for the time frame of Brown's ownership: It is the only team with three nine-game-or-more losing streaks.[26] It also holds six of the twenty-five 0-6 starts (24%)[27] and four of the thirteen 0-8 starts (31%) in that time.[28] The Bengals have gone winless in October eight different times in twenty years under five different head coaches (Sam Wyche was originally hired by Paul Brown).
The most successful coach during Mike Brown's tenure is current coach Marvin Lewis with a .465 winning percentage (60-69-1). The Bengals won the AFC North Division in 2005 and 2009 (then losing to the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets respectively).

Philosophy

Brown is considered the de facto general manager of the team. In 2009, the Cincinnati Enquirer publicized details of testimony in a Hamilton County Probate Court trial over the $300 million estate of Austin Knowlton. Brown testified that he received a general manager bonus every year since he took over the team in 1991.[29] Due to the team's record under his ownership, Brown has been subject to criticism for his approach to the running the football side of the Bengals' organization.

Tolerance of off field conduct

Chris Henry
In the mid-to-late 2000s, the Bengals were involved in a series of disciplinary measures with a variety of players. In 2005, the Bengals drafted Chris Henry and Odell Thurman, each considered exceptionally talented but possible disciplinary hazards during their college careers.[30][31] The following year, they were among nine Bengals players arrested for various offenses. Brown cut several "problem players" in 2008 including Henry and Thurman, but re-signed Henry later that year.[32] This came after five arrests of Henry and Brown's statement earlier in the year that Henry's "conduct could no longer be tolerated."[33] One fan protested by purchasing an electronic billboard along the Cincinnati interstate reading "CHRIS HENRY AGAIN? ARE YOU SERIOUS?"[34] Henry died during a domestic dispute on December 17, 2009. Commenting on his death, Brown defended his decision to re-sign Henry, noting that "We knew him in a different way than his public persona."[35]
Later in 2008, the Bengals signed running back Cedric Benson, whom the Chicago Bears had waived, in part, due to his off-field activities.[36] In 2009, the team added Larry Johnson to provide depth for the position after the Kansas City Chiefs released him for "detrimental conduct."[37] Johnson had also experienced recent legal difficulties. Benson was among 2009's leading NFL rushers, while Johnson saw limited action.
Brown has commented that the league's current attitude towards discipline is a change from a past "boys will be boys" attitude.[38] Brown's father welcomed tailback Stanley Wilson back to the Bengals in 1988 after two drug suspensions. Wilson relapsed the night before Super Bowl XXIII[39] and his absence in short-yardage situations affected the Bengals' efforts in one of the closest Super Bowl games in history.[40]

Loyalty Issues

Brown is historically reluctant to fire personnel after multiple losing seasons. His first hire as head coach, David Shula, lost fifty games faster than any NFL coach in history (69 games).[41] Shula's successor, Bruce Coslet, resigned with a 21-39 record in 2000; Brown had yet to fire him.[42] Current head coach Marvin Lewis has two winning seasons out of eight in Cincinnati, two playoff appearances, and a 60-67-1 regular season record (0-2 playoff record). Nevertheless, Brown agreed to extend Lewis' contract shortly after its expiration at the end of the 2010 season.[43]
Brown also values his family's connection with the franchise; evident in his choosing to name Paul Brown Stadium after his father rather than to sell corporate naming rights for it.[44] Daughter Katie Blackburn is the president of the team and her husband Troy is an executive VP with additional family members among the front office staff.[45] From 1994-2000, the Bengals paid out over $50 million to the Brown family members of Bengals staff in salaries.[46]
Boomer Esiason
Former Bengals receiver Cris Collinsworth argues Brown's loyalty played a role in decision to not persuade Boomer Esiason out of retiring despite a productive 1997 season. Esiason became a color analyst on ABC's Monday Night Football. Collinsworth suggested Brown "thought he was doing the right thing by Boomer" and did not want to cost him the MNF job. Collinsworth contrasted this attitude to other NFL owners, like the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones, whom Collinsworth felt "would have flown Boomer down to the Bahamas on his personal jet, offered to kiss his ring and signed him right there."[47]

Scouting

Brown employs a small scouting staff. A 2008 comparison between the Bengals' scouting department and five AFC teams with a .540+ winning percentage since 1991 showed the winning teams employing five or more scouts whereas the Bengals employed only one.[48] In his first press conference as Bengals head coach, Marvin Lewis claimed Brown assured him of a retooled scouting staff.[49]

Emphasis on the quarterback

Brown has publicized his belief that a "bell cow" quarterback is a necessity in turning a team into a winner.[50] In a 1999 interview, he remarked "If you don't have a productive quarterback, you won't go anywhere...I know it doesn't seem that simple, but it is."[51] Comparing quarterbacks to other positions on a football team, Brown has said "He's the hub of the wheel...like a queen on a chessboard. These other guys are like rooks or bishops or other pieces that are not quite as valuable. Some are more valuable than others. That's just a fact."[52]
Brown turned down then-Saints coach Mike Ditka's offer of nine draft picks for one in the 1999 NFL draft[53] against then-coach Coslet's advice. Coslet wanted as many draft picks as possible to help the Bengals' defense.[54] Instead, Brown overruled Coslet and selected University of Oregon quarterback Akili Smith.[55] Smith only played 22 games in his NFL career. Coslet later regretted that he "didn't insist hard enough" in trying to persuade Brown to accept the Saints' offer.[54]
Before the 1992 Draft, press reports stressed the Bengals' need for either a cornerback or defensive lineman.[56] Brown himself had been quoted the day before the draft as stating "we would dearly love to get a top defensive lineman, they're at a premium, and it's less true of other positions."[57] Instead, the Bengals selected Houston quarterback David Klingler. Then Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason and strong-safety David Fulcher both openly questioned the move the next day, arguing the team needed help on defense.[58] Klingler became an eventual bust. Esiason has since revealed that he had actually demanded a trade at the end of the 1991 season, which may have influenced Brown to select Klingler (Esiason was traded to the New York Jets in 1993).[59]
Carson Palmer
Brown places a great deal of responsibility on current quarterback Carson Palmer, calling him the Bengals' "lead dog" and stating "as he goes, we go."[60] Palmer holds a number of team records and three Pro Bowl selections. The Bengals are 46-51 (.474) with Palmer as starter.[61] On January 23, 2011, ESPN reported that Palmer, whose contract runs through 2014, was demanding a trade from the Bengals and was considering retirement if this did not occur. Brown has publicly refused the request.[62]

"Carl Pickens Clause"

Lee Johnson
In 1998, the Bengals cut punter Lee Johnson. Brown attempted to fine Johnson after cutting him for "conduct detrimental to the team" in relation to comments Johnson had made about the organization and the 1998 season. A reporter asked Johnson after a Bengals loss "if you were a fan, would you have come here today?" to which Johnson replied "No, no way...why would you? You're saying (losing) is OK. I guess if you've got nothing else to do. I'd sell my tickets."[63] This fine resulted in a dispute with the NFL players union, whose counsel remarked "A fine is a disciplinary measure, you discipline someone to try and make sure they're a better employee in the future. How can you do that if you've fired them?"[64]
In 2000, the Bengals instituted a "loyalty clause," which allows the Bengals to deny various bonuses to players depending on the remarks they make about the Bengals.[65] The ability to enact such a clause appears justified under the collective bargaining agreement which states an NFL team can fine a player one week's salary and suspend him without pay for up to four weeks for any action the club considers detrimental to the team.[66] Brown responded that the clause would only be enacted under extreme circumstances. He wrote an editorial for the Cincinnati Enquirer, citing team cohesion as his main motivation for the clause.[67]
It is often dubbed the "Carl Pickens Clause," stemming from the 2000 offseason. Brown renewed Bruce Coslet's contract despite his 21–36 Bengals record. Pickens responded, "I don't understand it. We're trying to win; we're trying to turn this thing around out there. And they bring (Coslet) back."[68] Pickens finished his career with the Tennessee Titans.
Over the years since the clause, Bengals players have commented on a negative atmosphere within the organization, notably Takeo Spikes,[69] Jeff Blake[70] and Jon Kitna.[71]
The most vocal critic of the Bengals since the clause was instituted was Corey Dillon.[72] In 2001, after becoming the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards or more in five consecutive seasons, he remarked "at the end of the season, what do I have to feel good about? Nothing at all. It's not cool." After a fifth losing season with the team in 2002, he remarked ""I'm tired of it, six years of this B.S. I ain't lying to you. I'm sick of this crap, period."[71] Dillon demanded a trade at the end of 2003 and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.

Frugality


In 1994, agent Leigh Steinberg described Brown as "in a lonely fight for economic rationality in the NFL" and "a Don Quixote-type figure pushing back the forces of salary madness."[1] Over the years, Brown has proven reluctant to finish free agent signings or trades. Warren Sapp (in 2004) and Shaun Rogers (in 2008) are notable recent examples.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus described it as a "matter of hours" before the Bengals would sign Sapp, only a day before the Raiders signed him.[73] Sapp accused the Bengals of "playing with the money" on the original deal they offered him, deferring more money to incentives rather than in guarantees.[74] The Associated Press reported a completed trade between Cincinnati and the Detroit Lions on February 29, 2008 for Rogers.[75] However, the trade fell through and the next day, it was confirmed that the Lions instead traded Rogers to the Cleveland Browns. [2]

Fan Response

Organizers from MikeBrownSucks[76] organized a boycott of a December 2001 regular season game [77] and fans visiting this site as well as another site, SaveTheBengals.com, have paid for planes to fly a banner in the Cincinnati area calling for Brown's resignation.[78]
Who Dey Revolution (WDR)[79] has staged "Project Mayhem" since 2008 in an effort to persuade Brown to make changes to the Bengals. These steps ranged from calling the Bengals "JERK line"[80] to report Brown's behavior as abusive[81] to purchasing billboards displaying a request for a General Manager[82] to merchandise and ticket donations/boycotts[83] and letter-writing campaigns.[84] The website's purchase and distribution of 1000 urinal cakes at a Bengals' home game advertised Brown's lifetime regular season record of 98-186-1 to that point.[85]
WDR publishes a comic strip titled "The Lost Generation", presenting Mike Brown in a Charlie Brownesque caricature, presumably to correlate Brown's track record to the famous cartoon character's history of hard luck and failure.[86]
Despite these protests, the Bengals have remained popular within Cincinnati. A November 21, 2010 game vs. the Buffalo Bills marked the first time since November '03 that network affiliates and DirectTV were legally obliged to "black out" the Bengals game within a 75-mile radius of Paul Brown Stadium for lack of ticket sales. The remaining home games against the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, and San Diego Chargers were also blacked out.[87] Prior to this, the team sold out 57 straight games, a club record.

Responses to criticism of Brown

Several people cast Mike Brown sympathetically in response to fan and media criticism. After a surprising upset of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003, Marvin Lewis tearfully awarded the game ball to Brown and told his players "he has put up with so much for you guys."[88] Former Bengals dismiss notions that Brown is unconcerned with winning. Boomer Esiason, now a CBS analyst, refers to Brown as a "nice man" who is simply over his head running the team.[89][90] In 1998 interviews, Cris Collinsworth and Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham also rejected notions that Brown did not care about winning. Collinsworth remarked "I don't think anybody could be suffering more over this than Mike is."[47]

Personal life

Brown is considered somewhat reclusive although he occasionally grants interviews, mostly to discuss offseason moves with the Bengals. In 2008, Brown and the Bengals donated $250,000 to assist the Cincinnati Park Board in paying for Cincinnati Riverfront Park.[91]

 

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