The Bengals during Thursday night's game against the Browns brought Leah Still, the four-year-old daughter of DT Devon Still, on the field to be part of a presentation in which the team gave more that $1.3M to Cincinnati Children's Hospital to "help fight pediatric cancer," according to the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER. The funds were made up of the "proceeds of the sale of Devon's No. 75 jersey over the last several weeks." The Paul Brown Stadium video boards "played 'Brave/True Colors,' a music video featuring Leah." Browns QB Brian Hoyer "came up to Devon just before the start of the ceremony and gave the Bengals defensive tackle a hug" (CINCINNATI.com, 11/6). ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports chants of "'Leah, Leah' trumpeted through parts of the stadium." Devon, who wrote "Leah Strong" on his eye black strips, said, "Seeing her picture on the scoreboard made me emotional, but somehow I was able to play the game." Fowler notes fans, TV producers "and even local police donned a No. 75 patch or jersey in honor of Still." Leah "watched her father play live for the first time" since his '12 NFL debut (ESPN.com, 11/7). In Cincinnati, Paul Dehner Jr. notes Leah "made her way out to the field in a pink coat and wide smile flashing out from under her medical mask" for the ceremony. Leah's "uplifting spirit made for one of the best moments" at the stadium "on a night filled with some of its lowest football." What the Bengals, Devon and "all involved in this have done to show support for Leah and her unfathomable courage should be a part of the night everyone in the city should be proud of" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 11/7). NFL Network’s Amber Theoharis noted the Bengals "have done so much to support that family and pediatric-cancer research," and the way "other teams have stepped up, too, has been amazing." Theoharis: "It’s been a great story” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 11/6).
EMOTIONAL SCENE: CBS' Jim Nantz said the "outpouring of love for Leah" was a "wonderful, sweet moment." CBS' Tracy Wolfson said it was an "emotional scene" during the check presentation, as Leah was "extremely emotional, overwhelmed by the situation." Wolfson: "She came crying to her grandmother’s arms and her grandmother said to her, ‘Just remember, they’re all here because they love you’" ("Browns-Bengals," NFL Network, 11/6). ESPN's Tedy Bruschi said, "It was a special night tonight to see all ... the love and the inspiration and strength that came from Leah.” ESPN"s Kevin Connors: "I don’t know if anything could dampen the mood as to how good it was inside that stadium tonight for Devon Still and his daughter” ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 11/7).
USING SPORTS FOR GOOD: CBS' James Brown said the response to Leah around the NFL has been an “effective use of ‘The Shield’ and one celebrity status to advocate for a cause like this.” CBS’ Bill Cowher noted there were "circumstances that brought bad light to the NFL” earlier in the season, but the league is a “community -- we compete on the field, but we come together in times like this.” NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci and Kurt Warner all sat on the net's pregame show set wearing Still’s No. 75 jersey. Eisen said the NFL community "closing ranks has truly been something to behold, also in a season that, quite frankly, a lot of the fans of the NFL have been searching for something to latch onto” (“NFL Total Access Kickoff,” NFL Network, 11/6). Meanwhile, USA TODAY's Martin Rogers writes the NFL "doesn't do everything right, far from it, and has barely weathered a storm of bile hurled in its direction over the past months, much of it warranted." Rogers: "But this was right, every part of it, from the respectfulness of the fans to the compassion of the Bengals to the decency of the league not to muscle in on the kind of feel-good story it desperately craves" (USA TODAY, 11/7).
TWITTER REAX: The Twitter feed for WBZ-FM's the "Toucher & Rich" show posted: "I seriously can't think of a cooler move than what the Bengals have done this year for Devon Still and his daughter Leah." ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi: "Stirring tribute to #Bengals DL Devon Still and daughter Leah on video board. Everybody transfixed." NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano: "Great to see Leah Still on the field. Best thing to happen tonight." Vikings WR Greg Jennings: "With all due respect to the @Browns and @Bengals, Leah is the biggest star in the stadium tonight! #LeahStrong."
