Even after players depart for the NFL, it’s clear that the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State is one that lasts a lifetime. Former Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, who’s now a rookie with the Cincinnati Bengals, recently paid a visit to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base located just outside of Columbus.
Jenkins tried on one of the military helmets during his visit, and it didn’t take long before he realized he made a mistake. In the video below, you can see Jenkins place the helmet on his head. Shortly after, someone off camera says, “Kris, you do realize that’s kind of like a Buckeye helmet right there?”
Jenkins immediately removed the helmet, only to find that it was indeed painted to mimic an Ohio State football helmet. Obviously it was all in good fun and the former Wolverine turned Bengal took it all in stride, but noted that the folks in Ann Arbor probably weren’t going to like it.
“That’s foul,” Jenkins said. “He set me up. I blame you, I got done dirty. Yea, my Michigan family ain’t gonna like that one bro.”
After QB JJ McCarthy went in the first-round to the Minnesota Vikings, Jenkins was the second Wolverine to come off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft – selected in the 2nd round (No. 49 overall) by the Bengals.
Shortly after the draft, Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo shared his thoughts on Jenkins.
“They won the national championship for a reason. They’re surrounded by a bunch of good guys. It’s a bit of a coincidence there (referring to the Bengals selecting a Wolverine in three straight drafts). But Kris will fit right in with our guys.
“He checks all the boxes on that. He’s done a bunch of different jobs on the field. Been a captain. Brings leadership. Like everything about him. From that standpoint, I think we’re real happy.”
