Maybe you don't want to be reminded about this, but… the Bengals lost yesterday. Again. Their 27-17 defeat at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars means they're 0-7 for the season, an exceptionally bad record even for fans accustomed to low expectations.
This is an especially dire situation for one fan in particular, who, for reasons we don't totally understand, is summiting the heights of fandom by camping out in a tent on the roof of his restaurant until the Bengals notch a victory. When will he come down? How will he survive? Will it be necessary to airlift him off the roof if the Bengals do not win this season? Nothing is clear.
Jeff Lanham owns the Hog Rock Cafe in Milan, Indiana. He's a die-hard Bengals fan, as you could probably glean from his current situation. Lanham told Complex earlier this month that he's taking inspiration for his stunt act of faith from a similar 1991 antic by Cincinnati radio celebrity Dennis "Wildman" Walker, who camped atop a billboard until The Jungle echoed with the sounds of victory. He was up there for 61 days as the Bengals went 0-8 before getting a win that season.
Now, Walker went up onto the billboard after the Bengals' first loss that season. Lanham started camping out after the Bengals lost to Arizona Oct. 6 — the fifth game of the season. And, as the Hog Rock's owner, he is uniquely situated for his quest. He comes down to use the bathroom at the bar and eats food from its kitchen, which his wife often brings to him.
How did this happen, though? Lanham was apparently drinking and talking about Walker's legendary feat of endurance and trust early this month. Next thing he knew, he was on the roof of the Hog Rock in a tent. He'll be up there until at least this coming Sunday, when the Bengals face the defending NFC champion Los Angeles Rams in London. The Rams are 4-3 so far in the season, so... it could be a cold winter for our hero. FYI — if the team loses to the Rams, there are only eight more chances left to free Lanham.