From the Canadian ranks and side jobs to an NFL roster
Dohnte Meyers secured a place on the Cincinnati Bengals’ 53-man roster to start the regular season, capping a circuitous climb that included time in the Canadian Football League and stints working for Uber and DoorDash to make ends meet.
Team staff noticed him during training camp, and his performance earned him a roster spot when final cuts were announced. Coach Zac Taylor praised Meyers’ approach, saying, “He has earned his way, that is for sure. He just continued to make plays over and over again. That is how you make it, really. When the opportunity comes your way, you have to make the most of it.”
The Bengals listed Meyers on the 53-man roster ahead of the regular season, an official designation that closes one chapter of a journey marked by multiple professional stops and daily hustle away from football.
Emotional reaction and a first impression at Bengals facility
Meyers spoke with reporters after practice once roster decisions were finalized. One of his first moves was sharing the news with family over video call. “I did a group FaceTime with my parents, my siblings, and I just told them the news, and that’s when the waterworks started happening, and everybody started crying,” he said.
When he arrived at the Bengals’ facility following the announcement, Meyers found a surprise waiting: his locker sits next to Ja’Marr Chase. The proximity to established players added another layer to the moment as Meyers prepares for his first NFL season with Cincinnati.
Those close to the situation pointed to Meyers’ training-camp play as the catalyst for his roster spot. The player’s ability to repeatedly make plays during practices and preseason opportunities factored heavily into the decision to keep him among the 53 active players.
Meyers’ presence on the roster is described by team voices as the latest step in a path that included success in the Canadian Football League and perseverance through non-football jobs while pursuing his professional ambitions. For now, he arrives at the regular season as an active member of the Bengals’ roster, having turned a string of opportunities into a roster berth.
