Sports

CINCINNATI — Here's one more reason for Cleveland Browns fans to hate the Cincinnati Bengals — Simeon Castille.

The rookie cornerback is the son of former Denver cornerback Jeremiah Castille, who caused "The Fumble" — sealing the Broncos' 38-33 victory over the Browns in the 1987 AFC Championship game.

With 1:12 remaining and Cleveland trailing 38-31, Browns tailback Earnest Byner was poised to score the game-tying touchdown Jan. 17, 1988, at Mile High Stadium. But Jeremiah stripped the ball from Byner at the 3-yard line and recovered the fumble at 1:05.

"They replay it on ESPN, so I've seen it actually numerous times," said Simeon, who was 2 at the time. "From the looks of it, it looked like (Byner) was getting ready to celebrate a little bit.

"He was close enough to the end zone to where, if he was, I would understand that. Whether he was or wasn't, I guess he only knows that. But my dad stayed with it. He was able to punch it out, fall on it and send the Broncos to the Super Bowl."

Denver lost Super Bowl XXII 42-10 to the Washington Redskins at San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium on Jan. 31, 1988.

Fast forward to 2008. Simeon ran a slow time at the NFL Combine and didn't get drafted, but the Bengals signed him as a college free agent out of Alabama, his dad's alma mater. And Simeon earned a spot on the Bengals' 53-man active roster.

"The kid's got really good ball skills," Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said. "He's got some good toughness and quickness. He's playing two positions — nickel and corner. He's shown a lot of good things. He's got to keep improving, but he's a guy to keep an eye on. He's a great kid."

Jeremiah spent four years with Tampa Bay (1983-86) and was claimed by the Broncos during 1987 training camp when the rebuilding Buccaneers placed him on waivers.

It turns out "The Fumble" was a life lesson passed from father to son.

"He's told me the whole story behind that whole game," Simeon said. "The biggest lesson he's taught me is that the Lord answers prayers. That was an answer to his prayer.

"The guy was basically walking into the end zone. Just never give up, and play until the whistle blows. That's what I try to do. That's what the coaches look for. They're looking for a guy that's going to give effort, who likes to play the game and is going to finish a play."

Next game

Who: Cleveland Browns (0-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

TV: WHIO-TV (CBS, Channel 7)

Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7), WONE-AM (980)

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.