Total Pro Sports
If you’ve ever wondered why the Cincinnati Bengals can’t seem to shake their bad luck, a photo from inside the team facility might offer a clue, at least according to fans.
Over the weekend, an image showing the team’s new mantra for the 2025 season started making the rounds on social media. And it didn’t take long for NFL Twitter to lose its mind.
The sign, which looks like your average motivational locker room display, proudly reads: “Physical. Hungry. Accountable. Teammate.” Sounds fine, until you notice the acronym: PHAT. That’s right, PHAT. A word that’s been used for decades in pop culture, but probably not how the Bengals meant it. Naturally, the internet ran with it.
The photo sparked a wave of ridicule online, with fans quick to weigh in.
“Bro laughing,” one user wrote, summing up the general disbelief.
Bro😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jVsxHlaAW2
— Drake Burton (@bengalsdrake) June 13, 2025
NFL analyst Ted Nguyen added, “The coach acronyms have gone too far.”
The coach acronyms have gone too far https://t.co/jkt6yWHBiB
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) June 14, 2025
One fan chimed in with, “A bengal is teammate,” mocking the awkward phrasing.
A bengal is teammate?
— Luke Richardson (@_LukeRichie) June 14, 2025
Meanwhile, another fan didn’t hold back: “Some teams just don’t deserve happiness.”
Some teams just don’t deserve happiness… https://t.co/kSa647gWdz
— JWillskue (@WhoWill_JWill) June 14, 2025
The viral moment comes at a rocky time for the Bengals. After back-to-back 9-8 finishes and no playoff wins since their 2021 run, Cincinnati is trying to regain momentum in Joe Burrow’s prime years. They’re also dealing with contract drama involving veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and top rookie Shemar Stewart.
In the middle of it all, a locker room poster intended to motivate the team has become the latest punchline. Whether the Bengals will be able to turn things around this season remains to be seen, but for now, fans aren’t cutting them any slack. One thing’s sure: PHAT may not be the acronym Bengals fans wanted to rally around in 2025.
Also Read: Cincinnati Bengals Release Team Captain In Absolute Stunner
