What a franchise player should be
By "Shawn Cortez"

Off-Season 2098 (Cincinnati, OH) - Before the first home game of the season against Oakland, the Bengals will honor former running back Darren Brace.

HB Darren Brace was drafted and instantly became a star with the Bengals. He was designated as a franchise player in his third year. The team knew right away that they had something special with Brace and wanted to make sure he would finish out his career with the team. Brace did not disappoint either.

He was quietly one of the best backs in the league for most of his impressive career. Brace ranks in the following categories historically since the 2061 season;

#7 Most Touchdowns, Career – 87
#3 Most Attempts, Career – 3,348
#3 Most Yards Gained, Career – 15,167
#8 Most TDs Rushing, Career – 78
#8 Most Fumbles Recovered, Career – 18
#3 Most Touches, Career – 3,649
#5 Most All Purpose Yards, Career – 18,327

Darren was the consummate team player and made everyone around him better. In 2088 Brace helped lead the Bengals to the best record that they have ever had under the management of James Barr. They finished the year and impressive 10-4 and GM Barr was named GM Of The Year. Brace enjoyed a modest season that year, but was a vital part of the offense. The threat of him as a rushing weapon helped Freddie Daniels enjoy one of the best years of his career.

Darren really came in to his own from 2090-2094, when he turned in the following seasons to cement his place in Cincinnati Bengals team history;

2090 – 329 – 1,693
2091 – 276 – 1,473
2092 – 276 – 1,088
2093 – 240 – 915
2094 – 296 – 1,362

In that 5 year stretch Brace carried the ball a total of 1417 times for 6531 yards. He averaged 1300 yards per season and 4.6 yards per carry.

In week 2 against Oakland the Bengals will retire the jersey of HB Darren Brace and all fans in attendance will receive Darren Brace mini-helmets as well as a Darren Brace edition of Great Benglas (paperback publication chronicling the careers of great Cincinnati players).