October 10, 2024 — that was Thursday for those of you keeping score at home — wasn’t very significant in Browns history.

That’s what happens when a team is messed up and the people running it are adamant that they’re not going to change anything.

Oh, well.

But October 10, 1976 was really cool. It was 48 years ago, on a bright, warm, sunny afternoon at Cleveland Stadium, that the Browns defeated the two-time defending Super Bowl championship Pittsburgh Steelers 18–16 in a game that will live forever in Browns history.

That was the game, of course, in which Browns defensive end Joe “Turkey” Jones spiked Terry Bradshaw on a sack, nearly inciting a riot on the field and in the stands.

But there was more to it than that, although, admittedly, that will be always the story that stands out.

Browns quarterback Brian Sipe got knocked out of the game on a late hit by linebacker Jack Lambert, which was a regular occurrence in that era, and a dentist from Shaker Heights named Dave Mays stepped in and led the way with his running and throwing to get the win.

Dan Cockroft kicked four field goals, including one from 50 yards, which was a long way back then, and Cleo Miller scored a touchdown on a one-yard run to give the Browns an 18–10 lead in the fourth quarter and they held on.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Browns would provide some excitement like that now?

Steve King