Ross' best season was in 1981, when he totaled 71 receptions for 910 yards and five touchdowns, helping lead the Bengals to Super Bowl XVI.
However, the Bengals lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 26–21, preventing Ross from being the likely winner of the Super Bowl MVP award and first tight end to ever receive it.
Ross went on to make his first and only Pro Bowl selection in 1982 on the strength of 47 receptions for 508 yards and three touchdowns in the nine-game season shortened by a players strike.
Ross later said that as a veteran of a small college not known for its football program, he was grateful for a chance to play in the big leagues.
"[3] Ross later became president and co-owner of WPWB, an independent TV station in Riviera Beach, Florida.
He was owner and president of Power House Supply, while also coaching Pop Warner Football and participating in charity golf tournaments.
[1] Dan Ross died at age 49 on May 16, 2006, after collapsing at his home in Atkinson, New Hampshire, shortly after returning from jogging.