If you've ever been to a Cincinnati Bengals game and wandered past the Bengal Trailer tailgate, chances are you’ve heard Rick Mason before you ever saw him. Armed with a microphone, a quick wit, and a gas can filled with mystery liquor, Rick is the voice—and the spirit—of one of the wildest, most energetic tailgates in the NFL. Whether he’s leading a toast, hyping the crowd, or engaging in good-natured trash talk with opposing fans, Rick brings a magnetic energy to gameday that makes the Bengal Trailer tailgate feel more like a block party on the Vegas Strip than a pregame hangout in the Queen City.

Rick isn’t just a hype man—he’s a creative mind, a branding pro by trade, and one of the visionaries behind the Bengals’ tailgating renaissance. As part of the Bengal Trailer leadership crew, he’s helped shape a gameday experience that’s equal parts mayhem and magic. From fireball-shooting goal posts to circus performers, from stilt-walkers to spinning wheels of destiny, the Bengal Trailer is a sensory overload in the best possible way. It’s the kind of place where you might do a shot from a gas can, dance to a live DJ, eat something deep-fried, and meet 10 new friends—before you’ve even gotten your ticket scanned.

But behind the outrageous antics is a group of die-hard fans with purpose and passion, and Rick plays a key role in building the vibe that brings people back week after week. A founding member of the Bengal Trailer LLC, Rick helps lead the organized chaos alongside a dedicated team that packs, sets up, and tears down the tailgate each game day. With over two decades of memories and mischief under their belt, the Bengal Trailer crew has transformed the Cincinnati tailgate scene—and Rick, with his infectious charm and love of caffeine, has become one of its most recognizable figures.

 A Conversation with Dr. Rick Mason
Interview conducted by Hans Steiniger

Tell me about the actual Bengal Trailer, what type of functionality does your rig bring with it to the parking lot on Sunday morning?

The Bengal Trailer is a converted utility trailer that we've crafted into a custom built tailgate machine. Established in 2002, the Bengal Trailer has evolved over time. Sporting a commercial grill, commercial deep fryer, a full sound system, and three working kegs, the Bengal Trailer turns any parking lot into a block party. We also have Cincinnati's best DJ (DJ Diamond) spinning records from a stage.

 The Bengal Trailer started in 2002 BM (Before Marvin), the Bengals were in the midst of the worst decade in history. So the only thing to keep fans going every Sunday was a GREAT tailgate party. So a group of friends set out on a mission to put on The Greatest Shit Show on Earth, and thus, the Bengal Trailer was born. Since then, The Bengal Trailer movement has grown quite a bit.

Those that know you guys would agree that Bengal Trailer is a cultural movement. You’ve got the custom trailer, game day pyrotechnics (Translation: fire ball shooting goal posts), live DJ, and even a weather man … your signature shot is dispensed from the mouth of a red, emergency gas can! How would YOU describe the brand of tailgating that’s developed around you guys on game day?

In one word, "crazy". We are always there to have a good time and make sure everyone there is having a good time too—even the opposing fans. And every week we try to top the craziness from the week before.

 It's funny, the week begins with a group message between the organizers and one person says something completely outrageous, then the next person builds on it, and then the next person, and so on, until we actually have a plan to make it happen.

 Like having a cannon that shoots fireballs in the air or building a wheel of destiny where some unlucky person has to spin a wheel where all the options are less than happy endings. Another time, we had circus performers come to the tailgate and walk on stilts, ride a unicycle, and juggle. Once we get going, sometimes the craziness breeds craziness.

 And yes, even drinking from a gas can, which has become a staple at the Bengal Trailer. My favorite is when people ask what's in it. My quick answer is, "Who knows." or "Does it matter?" and "If you have to ask, you probably don't want to know." And even then, most people come back for seconds. It's nonsensical at times, but everyone has a good laugh!

That's what we are all about. A controlled, crazy atmosphere where everyone is having fun.

Do you have any specific responsibilities for the tailgate, either on gameday or during the week?

There are five of us who are part of Bengal Trailer LLC, but we have a growing number of Bengal Trailer Hall of Famers who go above and beyond to contribute to the tailgate every week. We have given each of these members a challenge coin to commemorate the honor. In our opinion, the Top Five awards you can achieve in your lifetime are as follows:

 5.  Grammy

4.  Oscar

3.  Olympic Gold Medal

2.  Nobel Prize

1.  Tailgating Hall of Fame Challenge Coin

On game days I am the guy on the mic. I am either leading a toast or engaging in some friendly trash talk with opposing fans. Before the games, most of the guys will be loading the trailer and the ongoing joke is that I am the guy with the coffee in his hand. I do love some coffee. But it's really a team effort. Everyone chips in one way or another. If it's getting the stuff packed early in the morning, cleaning up after the game, running to get supplies during the week, prepping food, cooking during the tailgate, loading and unloading all the DJ stuff—everyone chips in. It’s what makes this tailgate great. It’s the fantastic people.

 So what do you do for a living, Rick Mason, Most Interesting Man in the World?

When I am not partying at the Bengal Trailer, I am creating new brands and products for one of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods companies. Doing so, I get to go on photo and video shoots for the products we create. We can be shooting models or products or whatever. And occasionally I need a new Facebook profile pic. So I always make sure while we are doing the shoots to make time for the photographer to get a new profile pic for me. If we are shooting the science that goes on in a lab you'll see me put on a lab coat and I get a new profile pic making me look way smarter than I am! But that said... the ladies love it! :)

Rick Mason is the type of guy who could be your hype man, your bartender, your prank mastermind, and your marketing guru—all before noon on Sunday. His humor, creativity, and unapologetic love for the Bengals have helped turn the Bengal Trailer into more than a tailgate—it’s a movement. Whether it’s serving up chaos with a side of camaraderie or rallying the jungle faithful from behind a mic, Rick leads with fun and follows with friendship. And for that, he’s earned his rightful place in the Tailgating Hall of Fame spotlight. Cheers to you, Rick—Who Dey!