Brown, Lewis comments on Nuxhall

UPDATED: The Bengals will honor Joe Nuxhall in their pre-game ceremony Sunday. It will take place shortly before the National Anthem, the Bengals said this afternoon.

Bengals president Mike Brown late this morning issued a statement about beloved Reds broadcaster and former pitcher Joe Nuxhall, who died Thursday night:

"On behalf of everyone in the Bengals organization, I want to express our deepest sympathy to all who were close to Joe Nuxhall. We recognize Joe's immense contributions not only to the Cincinnati Reds, but to the overall sports scene in the Tristate area. Joe was a true sports icon in our region, someone who never lost his zeal for the best ideals of his sport. We know that millions of fans will miss him dearly, but his spirit will live on for many years."

After practice this afternoon, head coach Marvin Lewis said he had met Nuxhall.

"Obviously, what he means to Cincinnati and the Cincinnati sports scene is tremendous," Lewis said. "I'm sorry that he has passed. He has meant a lot to the city. He was not only a face but a voice. He has done a lot of good things and participated in a lot of charity events. ... It's sad that he has passed."