In 1999, Jon Kitna experienced some success while leading his hometown team, the Seattle Seahawks, to the playoffs and gained some popularity. Shortly after, he fell out of favor with the franchise and landed in Cincinnati via free agency in 2001. He was a starter for the Bengals until the 2004 season when then-second-year man Carson Palmer took over the team.
The 2003 season was a banner year for Kitna and the Bengals. Going into that season, he only had an 8-19 win-loss record and had the young gun Palmer looking over his shoulder. With the newly-hired Marvin Lewis, it looked like Kitna's time as a starter was coming to an end, but the coach surprisingly handed the team over to the veteran, so that the rookie could sit and watch.
All that Kitna did was lead the Bengals to a surprising 8-8 record, just missing the playoffs, as well as winning the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award while never missing a single snap all season. He threw for 3,591 yards, 26 touchdowns and an 87.4 rating. It was his best year in his career as a full-time starter that also catapulted players like the then-Chad Johnson into stardom.
A consummate pro and good guy, Kitna has officially announced his retirement from the NFL. He had been with the Dallas Cowboys for the past three seasons and filled in admirably for the injured Tony Romo last season. Overall, Kitna had a 15-year career, playing for the Seahawks, Bengals, Lions and the Cowboys.
Kitna was one of the best character guys in the NFL. He is a very religious man, but also a fiery leader with a lot of confidence. He stuck with the Bengals until the 2006 season and Carson Palmer always praised him for the leadership he provided him at the position (funny how Palmer's numbers slipped after Kitna's departure).
So, congratulations to Kitna on a solid NFL career. He came from a small college and rose up the ranks to start at quarterback for four different franchises. He had his ups and downs while in Cincinnati, but he'll always be remembered for that magical 2003 season, which ultimately led the Bengals to the turnaround they've experienced over the past nine seasons.
0 recs | 14 comments
class act
wish him well
palewook - January 12, 2012
So, when Zampese leaves
…to be Zimmer’s OC in Jacksonville, Jon Kitna for QB coach.
Skyhook - January 12, 2012
I really like this idea. Maybe Ken Anderson 1st alternate?
sofakingood - January 12, 2012
I’m pretty sure Mularky is in Jacksonville now?
Bdub14 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
Yep
Oregonbengalsfan - January 12, 2012
I really liked Kit
Best wishes to him.
I think his plan now is to become a high-school math teacher. For real.
That 2003 year was as much fun as any of them since. I really like the last minute win at PIT. The win over BAL at home when they put up 17 points in a really short time span. Of course the KC win. Winning at SD. Some really fun games that year.
Kit was the key guy in getting the locker room to buy into Marvin. He made that much much easier for Marvin.
California Bengal Fan - January 12, 2012
Kitna played his role well in the NFL
ticalcaldwell - January 12, 2012
Good luck to him
He was a really good guy and had some really good times
Helmsy - January 12, 2012
He could still start for Cleveland!
Kitna would have had a steady starting job here,if he would have had that career best season
Just one year earlier
keithp - January 12, 2012
I liked Kitna and wish him well in his retirement
He was a fighter, gave the rest of the NFL some good games as a Bengal in an otherwise very dark time between Boomer and Carson.
brisd - January 12, 2012
He wasn't the most talented but he was true professional.
Young players could definitely benefit from having a guy like that around. He is the kind of guy you want in your locker room. I wish him nothing but the best. I would love to see him involved with the Bengals organization in some capacity.
D-Day77 - January 12, 2012 via iPhone app
Sometimes I wonder how this team would have fared had he stayed the starter
Great guy, solid QB.
Throw the ball - January 12, 2012
One of the true good guys.
I wish him nothing but the best and am glad we got to have him on our team for a little while.
Ben-GAL - January 13, 2012
Kitna
when we first got him, I wondered “why?”
then you see how the players on the field responded to him. genuine leadership qualities on the field. you couldn’t dismiss him. players clearly responded and it made the team better for his being here. Having him leading into the Carson era was beneficial to the team and probably to Palmer as well.
When Palmer was Kemo’ed in the 2005 playoffs, Kitna came in and kicked ass for a good part of the game. I think he handled the Steelers pretty well in other games, although I haven’t looked up stats to back it up.
He was overtly religious but not not preachy. He was, similar to Tebow, one to attribute and thank god for the ability but not to be douchey and say that god wanted him to win and the other team to lose. (Unlike some of the Tebow fans in my work place, who see every completion as a “Miracle” [even though, given Tebow’s QBing ability, there is something to be said about calling them a “miracle” (small m)])
In short, Thanks Jon.
supergrover - January 13, 2012
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