>> PHOTOS: You won’t believe this Bengals man cave porch... yeah, porch
The porch of the Watervliet Avenue is the epicenter of the 71-year-old sports fiend’s eclectic collection.
It is easily spotted from the road or the parking lot of nearby Dot’s Market.
>> MORE: Here's what you need to know about Dot's Market
The Bengals’ cave is Duke first house. He bought it outright using money from his 401(K) after years living in apartments for their swimming pool.
“Then the rent would get ridiculous,” Duke said.
It is decorated inside and out with Duke’s sports memorabilia — many from garage sales and friends.
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“When I go, they (the new owner) can do whatever they want with it,” he said.
In the evening, Duke watches TV on the porch or listens to music.
He’s made friends with his neighbors.
Passersby often honk their horns or call out “Who Dey,” a Bengals catchphrase.
Strangers sometimes stop for an adult beverage with him.
>> MORE: Here is your source for all things Cincinnati Bengals
Duke, a Bengals devotee for 20 years, started his cave by painting the porch’s railing orange and black.
The 1965 graduate of Fairmont East High School went from there, decorating nearly his entire house for his favorite team. Even the kitchen cabinets are black and orange.
On the porch alone there are Bengals beer cans, hubcaps, stuffed bengals, black and orange horseshoes, an oversized picture of Cincinnati’s skyline and pennants galore.
Duke used green paint and white tape to make the porch look like a football field.
One of his sisters bought him the Cincinnati Bengals Man Cave banner. The other gave him the one that reads Cincinnati Bengals and bears the image of a pouncing bengal.
>> 8 things you should know about the Dayton Triangles, the team that started the NFL
Duke retired from the Beavercreek car dealership once known as Eastgate Ford in 2009 after 35 years.
“Now I kind of hang out and go to the pool and see my mom (93-year-old Melba Hines),” the avid bicyclist said.
Eastgate Ford owner John Meyer sold Duke the black and orange dune buggy on the side of his porch back in 1995.
>> MORE: Read John Meyer’s Obituary
>> PHOTOS: Take a look inside of Duke’s man cave
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