When I was working for the Browns, one of the coolest things I got to do was interview former players on camera in a combination of a retrospective of their career and life, and a look at where they are now.

One of the best interviews I had was with cornerback Hanford Dixon. Really, there’s no way you have anything other than a grand discussion with the talkative, funny and effervescent man who will forever be known as “The Top Dawg.”

Dixon, the Browns’ first-round draft choice, at No. 18 overall, in 1981 out of Southern Mississippi, was with the club for nine seasons, through 1989, all of which time was spent on a defense that also included as one of its stars linebacker Clay Matthews. On the list of the 12 best Browns since 1960, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Dixon is No. 12 and Matthews, who is a semifinalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a seniors candidate, is ranked No. 1.

In the interview with Dixon, done on Sunday morning at FirstEnergy Stadium before a Browns home game, I finally worked up to what could be called The Question. That is, “I know it was a long time ago and you’re busy with your post-football life, but, perhaps on a long drive or other times when you have a few moments to yourself, do you ever think about those three very tough losses to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game in the last half of the 1980s, including the first two in 1986 and ’87 that went right down to the end?”

I’ll never forget his answer, and reaction.

Dixon had been joking and laughing and carrying on – in typical style for this friendly, joyful and fun-loving man – and he immediately stopped. The smile that could light always light up a room disappeared, and was replaced by a somber look.

“I think about it every single day,” he said slowly and quietly as a tear ran down the side of his cheek.

I bet a lot of his old teammates from those seasons would say the same thing.