For years — and even decades, really — it was a special privilege and a real treat for a young man — or woman — to become a beat writer covering the Browns.

There are a lot of reasons for that, but today, we’re going to focus on only two, Dino Lucarelli and Chuck Heaton.

Indeed, when we referred to those men in conversations with other people, it was The Great Dino Lucarelli and The Great Chuck Heaton, and we meant every word of it.

Lucarelli, who will turn 89 years young on Wednesday, is the former longtime public and media relations staffer with the Browns and, before that, the Cleveland Stadium Corp., the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Barons, for a total of 50 years. He also served as the Browns’ first alumni relations director.

Heaton, who passed away 15 years ago and was the father of actress Patricia Heaton and former Cleveland Plain Dealer entertainment writer Michael Heaton, was the iconic Browns beat writer for the PD for 25 years, 1954-78. He was the guy every young, aspiring journalist wanted to be when he, or she, got the job as a Browns beat writer.

Lucarelli, who knew everybody in the sports world in and around Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, and Heaton were, of course, outstanding at their craft, but they were even better men in that they were among the kindest and most considerate people you could ever meet. As such, they were wonderful role models. They taught us all to strive for integrity and to help others in all situations.

Happy birthday, Dino!!

Steve King