In the past, winning has always reeled in disgruntled fans in sports at any level, especially the professional variety.
That includes the NFL, and your Cleveland Browns. When the 2020 Browns, just three seasons removed from an 0-16 finish, went to the AFC playoffs, the fans returned in droves. The Browns were the talk of the town.
The Browns are coming off a terribly disappointing 8-9 finish in a season where they were supposed to be strong contenders for their first Super Bowl. So, if the Browns get back on track this season, then everybody will hop back onto the bandwagon, right?
Well, perhaps not. This time, it’s different with the Browns. Even some longtime hardcore fans, particularly females, are not thrilled with all the team’s offseason moves. And that’s putting it mildly. Actually, they’re ticked off to the hilt that the team traded with the Houston Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson, who, until recently when he settled about all of them, led the NFL in number of civil lawsuits being filed against him.
I introduce you to my good friend, Nancy. The 52-year-old mother of two high school boys – and an adoring husband — who lives in a little town about 60 miles south of Cleveland has rooted for the Massillon Tigers, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Browns for as long as she can remember. She will continue to root for the Tigers and the Buckeyes for the rest of her life. But the Browns? Maybe not so much.
“I’m trying, but I just don’t know,” she keeps telling me when I ask if she’s going to re-up as a fan for 2022.
Women have tough standards when it comes to moral issues, and they don’t compromise. My friend, Trish, who has fervently rooted for the Detroit Tigers all her life, is having a lot more trouble doing so these last two seasons after the hiring of A.J. Hinch as manager.
“He’s a cheater, and I don’t like cheating,” she says in reference to his guiding the Houston Trash Can Bangers to a World Series title after turning a blind eye to their scheme to steal signs for opposing pitchers.
Indeed, the Browns – and the Tigers – brought this upon themselves, and there’s nothing they can do – even winning — to soothe the anger of some fans.
Steve King
