The Cleveland Browns have been one of the most tormented franchises in the history of the NFL. The first time disaster struck was in 1981, when the Browns were taking on the Oakland Raiders. The wind chill was 35 below and it was an ugly game, but with 49 seconds left the Browns were down 14-12 at their own 19 yard line. Instead of running the ball and kicking a field goal the Browns head coach, Sam Rutigliano, decided to throw a pass. The pass was intended for Ozzie Newsome was intercepted and the Raiders went on to win the Super Bowl.
Then there is “The Drive.” In 1986, the Browns found themselves playing a young upstart Denver Broncos teams led by quarterback John Elway. Late in the fourth quarter, the Browns, with a 20-13 lead, had put a beautiful punt on the two yard line and the Broncos had to go 98 yards to tie. Elway did just that on the beautifully orchestrated 15 play drive where he even converted a 3rd and 15 play. Elway connected with Mark Jackson with 37 seconds on the clock to send it to OT. There the Broncos kicked a field goal and to escape with a victory 23-20. It was the beginning of the Elway mystique.
These days the Dawg Pound would be happy with a playoff appearance. The team hadn’t been very good since former owner Art Modell moved the franchise and then the NFL awarded them an expansion team that got the same name and also got to have the history of the old Browns. Head coach Romeo Crennel is trying to take the team back to the playoffs to challenge for a Lombardi Trophy.
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