Host

James Rapien

James Rapien hosts First Word every weekday from 7–11 a.m. ET, breaking down the biggest stories in sports. Before joining The Crown Network, he spent six seasons covering the Cincinnati Bengals for Sports Illustrated. He’s also the creator of Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube and the author of Enter the Jungle, a book on the team’s history. A University of Cincinnati graduate, Rapien has established himself as a leading voice in sports media.

1: Show

Shows hosted

First Word with James Rapien

First Word, Cincinnati's only morning sports show, breaks down the overnight developments, sets the agenda for the day, and gives Cincinnati fans the context and analysis they need. Weekdays, 7 to 11 AM ET.

Hosted by James Rapien, Marisa Contipelli, Jacob Tissot

Articles by James Rapien

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