Lakota West grad excited for opportunity with Bengals

Standing on the field inside Paul Brown Stadium for his first practice as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday morning, Hamilton native Kayaune Ross’ eyes were drawn to a specific spot — the section he sat in five years ago as a fan watching his hometown team upset the New England Patriots.

“If I had to go to it, I could go to (my seat),” Ross said. “It’s just amazing right now. It’s just a blessing. I’m still in shock kind of.”

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The Bengals signed Ross on Saturday, a few days after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks. After graduating from Lakota West in 2012, Ross spent two years playing junior college ball for Phoenix College before transferring to the University of Kentucky.

Ross, who was 6-foot-3 when he graduated high school but stands 6-6 today, earned a tryout at Indianapolis Colts rookie camp in May, where he impressed the team enough to a contract. After the Colts released him in June, he signed with Seattle. But the Seahawks released him last week, resulting in him landing in his hometown.

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“I’m just doing my best to control what I can control,” he said. “I’m just glad I’ve got opportunities. I’ve been through it all, so it’s going to take a lot to make me just give it up. Tough is all I know.

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