Originally published in 2015, this story has been updated in 2025
Dino Lucarelli remembered as if it was yesterday.
But in actuality, it was nearly eight decades ago.
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It was 79 years ago, on Sept. 6, 1946, that the Cleveland Browns played the Miami Seahawks at Cleveland Stadium in their first-ever regular-season game in the fledgling All-America Football Conference.
That night, a then-12-year-old Lucarelli sat high in the bleachers of Section 50, wearing a bright red shirt so his older sister and her fiancé could keep an eye on him from the grandstand. He had just a quarter for a bleacher ticket and a few concessions—and strict instructions not to leave his seat until the final whistle.
What he witnessed was the birth of a dynasty.
The Browns dominated from start to finish, crushing Miami 44-0 in front of 60,135 fans—the largest crowd to ever see a pro football game at the time. Cliff Lewis opened at quarterback, but soon Otto Graham entered, connecting with Dante Lavelli for a 39-yard touchdown that launched one of the greatest careers in NFL history. Lou “The Toe” Groza added three field goals, Tom Colella broke off a 50-yard touchdown run, and the defense chipped in with a pair of scores.
“It was the speed of the game, the roar of the crowd, the way the Browns dominated in every way,” Lucarelli recalled. “From that first night, I was hooked as a Browns fan.”
That night planted the seeds for both the Browns’ golden era and Lucarelli’s own career. He would later spend nearly four decades working with the Browns in media relations, alumni engagement, and player appearances until his retirement in 2013.
From 1946 to 2025: The Browns’ Legacy Lives On
As Cleveland kicks off its 2025 NFL season, the echoes of that first night still resonate. Just last season, the Dawg Pound witnessed another unforgettable chapter: Joe Flacco’s improbable run in 2023, which reignited fan passion and reminded the league of Cleveland’s resilience.
Now, led by a mix of established stars and rising talent, the Browns look to build on that legacy. Nearly 80 years after Otto Graham’s first touchdown pass, fans still crowd into Cleveland Stadium’s modern successor, bringing the same energy, loyalty, and hope.
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Celebrate Joe Flacco’s unforgettable run and show your Dawg Pound pride with these fan favorites:
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