Bengals’ underdog story of the offseason just had his aura boosted thanks to an awesome Joe Burrow anecdote
Dohnte Meyers has been the most inspiring story of Bengals training camp, and he led Cincinnati in yards from scrimmage in the preseason-opening victory over the Detroit Lions. There is no opportunity he can pass up in accomplishing his dream. Not even when over 400 miles are in his way.
Wide receiver Dohnte Meyers was the Cincinnati Bengals’ leading receiver from their 16-14 preseason victory over the Detroit Lions. Considering how well Meyers was playing leading up to Thursday night, it’s only right his 29 yards on three receptions and 13 rushing yards on a jet sweep made him Cincinnati’s yards from scrimmage leader of the game.
Meyers has been the most inspiring story of Bengals training camp. The former CFL standout is attempting to make his first ever NFL roster at age 26. There is no opportunity he can pass up in accomplishing his dream.
Not even when over 400 miles are in his way.
Joe Burrow tells awesome Dohnte Meyers story after impressive debut
Quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t throw a pass to Meyers in Cincinnati’s preseason-opener. He was out of the game long before the roster hopeful stepped onto the field. Even in training camp, it’s been uncommon for both of them to be on the field at the same time.
Reps with the franchise quarterback are hard to come by for someone in Meyers’ position. That’s why when Burrow offered to work out with him and throw before training camp in Cincy, Meyers did not let him being in Atlanta, Georgia stop him.
“The week before training camp, I texted him, ‘Hey, are you in town?’ He’s like, ‘I can be,’” Burrow recalled during his postgame press conference. “And I was like, ‘Can you be here tomorrow at 11?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah.’ Come to find out he drove from Atlanta that night to be there to throw the next day. That’s the kind of guy he is.”
A guy with a point to prove, no doubt.
“I feel like to let him know I’m committed,” Meyers told reporters after his Bengals debut. “Whatever it takes. Whether I gotta fly, whether I gotta drive, the quarterback says he wanna throw, I’m ready to work. I feel like I’m not gonna let him outwork me.
“If he’s ready to throw, I’m ready to catch.”
Meyers needs to build off his first game
It wasn’t a breathtaking performance from Meyers, but it was a good data point for his case to make the 53-man roster. What’s really going to help him is by proving both reliable and explosive as a returner. Meyers had the longest punt return of the night when he amassed 11 yards on his first attempt. He fair-caught his second.
Continuing to be productive while having the mindset and the work ethic that has already caught Burrows attention is how Myers can be undeniable in his pursuit for a roster spot. We’ve seen him show up day in and day out on the practice field, we’ve now seen what he can do in a game, and now we know exactly the kind of person he is.
Meyers is the feel good, underdog story of the offseason. He may not be an underdog for long.
