We are a Family

I got a call last Tuesday from one of my lab mates, Matt. His girlfriend, Danielle, was in town and he wanted to get together with Emily & me. I told him we were planning on going to training camp Wednesday night (see last post) and to the Family Night at the stadium on Friday. After a quick conference with Danielle, they jumped on Friday night.

After my experience on Wednesday I was not overly excited on Friday, aside from any man's desire to eat $1.00 hot dogs of course. Meeting up before driving down went like normal - I was ready early, our guests were on time, and Emily was nowhere to be seen - I guess those med schools really do keep you busy. Hopefully her tardiness does not become a trend and it is all part of the preseason shake down. I don't know how well I could handle being late on game day - she might just find a note and a ticket on her counter.

Emily eventually was able to sneak away. We all hopped in the car and made our way down to the stadium. It has been too long since I parked in the Muni lot - as I got out of the car I was consumed with questions. Where were all the modded out Browns cars and buses? Did we have the wrong day? What is going on? Where was everyone?

The four of us started walking towards the stadium - the closer we got, the louder things became. As we walked past the science center I noticed something parked in the street in front of the stadium - a modded Browns school bus. Thank the Lord! Next to it was a line of orange and brown cars - all parked next to the stadium for people to admire. I must say, my personal favorite was the ambulance with a dead Steeler's player in the back (fake...of course).

We made our way inside and quickly bought more hot dogs than we probably should have from a walking vendor. Unfortunately, we had to wait in line for 20 minutes to get drinks, but that is a story for another time. We managed to get seats on the 30 yard line, home side, in the lower bowl - something that is near impossible even during the preseason.

We watched as the Browns warmed up and a commentator filled everyone in on the new players, the injuries, and old stories. It was a great time. The players eventually actually scrimmaged - the actual plays were not important though...I will not get into that other than to say it was funny to watch professional players play touch football. What was important was that the players and about 26,000 fans came together on a Friday night to see one another. It was like a family reunion, with, you know, the family you actually want to see. Everyone was laughing, everyone was having a great time. Emily & I were joking with a fellow fan about how all the girls love Brady Quinn, we were shouting as players made a big play.

As the practice slowly came to a close I became sad - the night was going to be over. The players were leaving the field without so much as a wave to the fans & I heard no goodbye from the commentator who had spent the entire night with us. As I looked over at the big screen I saw something that cheered me up immediately - "Stick around for the fireworks!" At that same moment I saw Josh Cribbs come out of the locker room with some other players to sign autographs. I felt a tremendous wave of happiness come over me. I let it soak in.

The fireworks were amazing, synced to music and everything. After the show we were all filing out barking, shouting, and having a good time. Kids were running around in the grass holding footballs just about as big as their entire body, parents were all smiles.

It is easy to lose track of people, even good friends, over the course of a year. But - we are a family; this was our reunion. We were welcoming each other back to town - the fans, the stadium, the players. I love this family...not only because we all share a common interest, not only because we stand up for one another, but also because this family is unique. Unlike your blood family, anyone can join this family - All you need is a desire to be part of it.

This is insane...

I set up plans this past Wednesday to go to Berea to watch the Browns training camp with my girlfriend Emily and my long time friend Dan. Wednesday morning I was completely consumed by what laid ahead; unfortunately the practice was not scheduled until 5:30. My Bernie Kosar jersey, my hat, Emily's Brady Quinn jersey would just have to wait in the car.

Go back to when you were about ten. Just old enough to understand Christmas and to look forwarded to getting that gift you really wanted. Imagine walking down the stairs and seeing the gifts under the tree - you immediately find the one that is just the right size...you know it is your special gift. You look around - your parents are busy with the other kids. You begin to slowly peel back the wrapping paper to avoid making to much noise and attracting attention to yourself. Then, from the other room you hear your mother shout, "Everyone get dressed, we are going to your Aunt & Uncle's house." Your stomach drops and all you can do is wait till later to open your present. Yeah...that is how my day went.

Finally, our 4:30 meeting time had arrived. Dan was in position and waiting - but where was Emily? I received a call at 4:45 from her saying that she had been stuck in the lab, so was walking now. I hopped in the car and picked her up, then Dan. We were headed to Berea... a little behind schedule.

Water towers are not something I normally pay much attention too...until that day. It is one thing to see an article in the Plain Dealer about the Browns logo going up on a water tower, it is another thing to see it first hand. To a 'normal person' (non sports fan) it was just another marketing scheme by another company...whatever. To a Browns fan this water tower represents so much more - it shows that the everyday guy is rallying behind the heroes on the field. It shows pride, it shows belief, it demands respect.

Water towers are great and all, but nothing beats a towering defensive players in my mind. Dan, Emily, and I went around and watched the defensive linemen practicing; it was cool to see the other side of the ball. Shaun Rogers is one big guy. This is just about all I can remember from the actual training camp. If someone that big was chasing me for a ball - I would seriously consider just giving it to them. We also tried to watch some of the offense, but I swear every fan on that side of the field was 6'5 inches, 275 or something. I could barely see anything and it was hopeless for Dan and Emily, who are on the shorter side.

Last year my father took me fly fishing (I really enjoy it) on a snowy, cold day (20 degrees). My fingers were freezing and I was not having to much fun on this given day. He looked over at me and said, "This is insane right[to be out here]?". I immediately agreed and we packed it in. Looking back on that day I realize something - it wasn't insane to him, only to me.

As I looked over at Emily and Dan trying unsuccessfully to see I acknowledged something...this was insane. We did not stay much longer.

No player came up to us and talked, none of them thanked us for coming (aside from the people at the gate) . Even if our visit wasn't as thrilling, our visit to Berea still had a purpose. Even though we couldn't see the players, and they couldn't see us - they knew we were there. They could look into the bleachers and see plethora of guys wishing they were on the field, women trying to get a closer look at Brady Quinn, and children pretending they were NFL stars. The players need us to be there - everyone needs to remember where they came from, what they are playing for, and most importantly that they are supported. The fans need something to look up to, to help pick them up on a rough day.

Yes, this might seem insane, but the fans & the players, the team are forever linked through their reliance on one another. It might seem insane to root for something we have no control over. It might seem insane to spend so much time reading about the greats we will never meet. It might seem insane to throw so much emotion into a team we are not playing for. It might be insane, but we will keep showing up...

This Doesn't Feel Right

Growing up in Cleveland through the 80's and 90's the first quarterback I remember was Bernie Kosar (Read some posts from last year to see why I think he is king). I have no memories of the Paul Brown era when head coaches wore suites as a sign of respect for the game (someone should remind Belichick of this), I have no memories of Otto Graham or Jim Brown - I only have stories of these greats. I respect what they brought to the game, and more importantly to this city. Their presence demanded respect and confidence - something that many Clevelanders are having trouble finding within themselves these days.

The majority of my childhood and teen years were spent cheering for the Indians to take a championship - they demanded our respect in the 90's.

I have memories of my parents packing the family in the 92' Chrysler Minivan in the middle of the night, driving down to an empty Jacob's Field, and honking our horn to celebrate the Indians winning a big game (that horn never recovered). The really crazy thing - there were thousands who did the same.

I remember Manny forgetting how many outs there were in the World Series...I won't get into that one.

Lets fast forward to 2008:

The Browns training camp started yesterday. The articles in The Plain Dealer were upbeat and inspiring - the city is ready for the Browns. The water tower in Berea received a new addition...a Browns helmet and the caption "Home of the Cleveland Browns" - words that emphatically scream "This is our team and we are proud of it."

We have come a long way from the coin flip last year. The funny thing is that the Bears actually flipped a coin to see who their QB would be this year - maybe someone should remind them that Charlie Frye won that flip, not Anderson...hmmm, on second thought lets let them figure that one out on their own.

Lebron could not carry us to a NBA championship (single handed), The Indians folded on this year before the all-star break (trading CC), so our hope for a champion this year rests with the Browns - this doesn't feel right. I have never experienced the Browns getting so much respect. I mean, any warm blooded Clevelander would defend the Browns any day of the week, but now we are on the footsteps of national respect - something this fan, this family, this team, this city needs right now. Respect is ours for the taking, now is the time we need to seize it.

Will I get used to this new feeling? I think the billboards that are going up around Cleveland say it best "There is always this year."