Earlier today, on October 6th, former Iowa Hawkeyes standout Gabbie Marshall had the honor of becoming the latest “Ruler of the Jungle.” For those unfamiliar, this is a modern Cincinnati Bengals pregame tradition where a celebrity leads the team’s iconic “Who Dey” chant. And this time, it was Marshall’s moment to shine. How could those who know her remain to congratulate?

Gabbie’s former teammates were quick to show their excitement and pride. Kate Martin was one of the first to share her enthusiasm on her official X account. She wrote, “This is amazing” followed by a laughing emoji and a white heart. Not far behind, Caitlin Clark, another former Hawkeyes star, showed her support by re-posting Gabbie’s photos from the event on her Instagram story, writing, “Spirit animal @Gabbie Marshall Go Chiefs.”

These preparations were for the NFL Week 5 game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals that took place this Sunday at Paycor Stadium. Marshall, a star with two consecutive championship titles for Iowa under her belt, was the perfect celebrity to receive the honor. Her excellence isn’t just limited to titles.

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Marshall played five seasons for the Hawkeyes, starting in four of them. Even during her last season, when she played alongside Clark and Martin, she averaged 6.1 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in just 29.5 minutes of gameplay across 36 games. These stats might not seem impressive until you realize that the only player with more minutes per game than her was Caitlin Clark.

But why Marshall and not Clark?

In recent times, the Bengals’ “Ruler of the Jungle” ceremony has become a beloved tradition, firmly establishing its place since its inception three years ago. So far, only 35 individuals, including Gabbie Marshall, have received the honor. Each ruler has undoubtedly exemplified the spirit of Cincinnati and its passionate fanbase.

For Marshall, it was also a way to give back to her community. Raised in Cincinnati, the Iowa standout spent her formative years in the city before embarking on a stellar collegiate career with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where she became a key player alongside WNBA No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark.

Additionally, she became the first player to reach 200 three-pointers and 200 steals while also scoring over 1,000 career points. However, her playing career came to a halt as she decided to pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy, marking a new transition in her life. Despite this, she hasn’t forgotten her roots.