The WINdy City

Browns vs. Bears in Solder field; who could pass up the opportunity to see that game? I wouldn't, I couldn't. I looked around on the Internet to find tickets to the game and found a few for 50 bucks - I was going.

So after getting final approval from my boss to take two days off of work I began making final plans. Andy, one of my friend's from high school, and his fiance lived in Chicago and I figured this was a good excuse to visit them - also, the price was right on their guest bedroom...thanks again by the way. I was able to pack all of my stuff for the weekend within a small book bag - including my Kosar jersey. My brother-in-law warned me that wearing the jersey in Chicago would be crazy.

As I left work and started to walk towards the RTA red line (airport line) I opened by bag and put on my jersey - I wanted everyone to know what I stood for and where I was going. After paying a 1.75 for the ride (apparently it went up 25 cents since I was in high school) I talked with the RTA guy for about 5 minutes about the Browns and my trip - nice guy. Although, he told me that wearing my jersey was crazy; where did I hear that before?

As I walked through the Cleveland Airport I was given head nods and some people yelling "Go Browns!"; it was awesome. I made it to my gate and began to read the three magazines I just bought to help me select my fantasy players for the year; no, I just can't use all the Browns players again, like I had done for the previous seasons. As I sat there waiting for the flight many people asked me if I was going to the game and what my predictions for the season were - it was awesome; a couple guys also said "I will see you there". A family sat down across from me; the father looked at my jersey and said, "Thats old school (the Kosar Jersey), and began to ask me about the Browns' greats of his childhood." I quickly rose to the challenge and shocked him with my knowledge of the past and general respect for their legacy - we talked Browns for 15 minutes before his wife guilted him into getting into line. As he walked away he said, "Don't wear that jersey, you will get killed."

I was flying Southwest - no assigned seats and I was virtually the last one on the plane - hello middle seat! I sat between a couple gentlemen, both seemed like nice people. The plan ride was fairly uneventful until we landed; the guy in the window seat started to talk to me about the Indians and the Browns - he seemed nice. Right as I was getting up to walk out he said, "Hey - Go Bears" - sometimes I just misjudge a person's character.

Walking through Midway aiport in Chicago was...interesting. There was a gentleman walking along side me that gave me this grin which more or less said, "Are you flipping crazy wearing that jersey?". I just smiled and told him, "I have to wear it or someone will think I am a Bears fan." - he laughed. While I waited for Andy's fiance to pick me up I got to witness the joy of airport traffic for about an hour. I mention this because it got me worked up just watching the worst of people come out through their cars.

Chicago traffic reminds me much of LA; I won't go on to say anything more than that. We fought our way to the Solder Field parking lot - I had 34 dollars on me - it was 40 to park. The funny thing is the week prior in Cleveland I was joking to my girlfriend that it was 40 to park - in Cleveland its 5. Anyways, we had to turn around and eventually found a place far away to park for 16. As we were walking through the Bears tailgaters many of them gave me crap, but all were light hearted. My typical response was either, "Come on, its Kosar - give me a break" (This would ussually make them quite because they didn't know Browns' history) or "You guys are going to win the division this year, let me enjoy this one game".

Even though we were in Solder Field I really felt as though we were in mile high - our seats were about 10 rows down from the top - on the bright side I knew God was a Browns fan - we were sitting so high I could see him wearing a Jim Brown jersey. The height didn't bother me for one reason - for the first and last time in my life I was on the 50 yard line.

As the game began I looked around and saw how similar Bears fans were to Browns fans - they are good people. I have to say I respected their willingness to cheer for the defense, something that is missing from a lot of fans (not the Browns fans, of course). I then realized I was happy I took this trip, not for the game, but rather for the experience.

The Browns took the lead early and didn't give it up - I didn't know how to react to being up by 19 pionts. I did know sitting amongst many people who were happy with my team, who's jersey I was wearing, to keep my mouth shut. The Browns even managed to get a safety against the Bears - they were playing well.

After the game were walking out and I gave the typical head nod to all the Browns' fans (about 1 in 20 were there for the Browns). There was a group of three die hard Browns fans that had face painting and the whole deal - not quite the same philosophy of "laying low" as I had. I made eye contact with them and one of them pointed right at me. She ran over and started talking about the time she met Kosar, then she disappeared. At this point I felt someone jumping on my back...I think she had a few to many drinks. Her group of friends started the "Here we go Brownies" chant and I took part for a couple before coming to my senses and separated myself (no home team deserves that kind of rubbing it in after a lose like that). We kept walking; a couple came up to me and commented on the Kosar jersey. I could tell that they were also really enjoying the 7 dollar drinks that night; I have no idea what they said, all I know is that the woman took my hand and kissed it - Kosar, you are king.

Much like in the movie Field of Dreams, I felt compelled to wear the jersey, get myself to Chicago and watch the game - but for what? I had to show my respect for the players of old - those who built the legacy of the Browns...and this is how I feel during the preseason.