serious question:
Have we EVER watched a win like that?
I saw my first Browns game live in 1972. Had season tickets 1983-89 and attended the great Playoff win against the Jets.
We had the Mauling of the Steelers in the playoffs a few years ago where we had them literally crying.
But I love the Browns who were the best franchise in the sport for years and had a heritage second to none. That team was taken from us and given to Baltimore, the asshole of the East Coast. The replacement franchise just hasn’t been the same.
Beating the Ravens with Dawson’s kick that hit the stanchion and was originally ruled no good to send us to OT was amazing and a measure of revenge.
Today was better for me.
I remember waking up the morning of the AFC Championship Game in Denver (2nd of 3) feeling extremely nervous, more so than any game before or since. I was convinced we had the better team. We had to receive to start the game - turnover. We kept making mistakes, tried to come back, more mistakes, freak plays etc. We tied fourth quarter with Earnest Byner just killing it for us running and receiving. Denver goes up a TD, we’re heading for the end zone, and then 10th round pick Byner - one of the best people ever to wear a Cleveland uniform - was stripped just before crossing the goal line. Just heartbreaking for the team and the fans. So, so painful.
Most of us have seen the Byner interview where, years later, he broke down and cried when discussing that. He apologized to Cleveland. It was heartbreaking again to see that.
Class move by the Cavaliers to put him in the parade. He deserves lots of love. Played his heart out but it didn’t result in a win.
Today was the most nervous I’ve been since that game. The whole fourth quarter I was a complete wreck. We made so many mistakes and it seemed all game there was just too much to overcome.
But our men never quit. They fought. They erred. They fought harder. Some left due to injury. They fought harder. And harder. And harder.
Finally there was the image of Joel Bitonio running behind the play after a great block and adding his strength to push the Browns to a first down. Hopkins kicked it and we beat those bastards who stole our team, our HoF TE who became a great GM and those two rings.
I’ve never been so nervous about a game that ended in a victory since the Jets 2OT playoff winner but with all the adversity and the fact that it was the Ravens this is the most meaningful win for me I’ve ever seen.
I feel that we’ve got our Browns back.
Next week The Big Bad Browns are Back in Town. Let’s destroy the Steelers and win the toughest division in football.
I might no5 survive another game like this though.