The Cleveland Browns took the field in throwback jerseys against the Steelers. The Browns throwback jersey, a nod to their 1946 inaugural season, couldn’t bring back their past greatness.
Sometimes, fans have storylines in mind before the actual outcome. Last week, many followed the Cleveland Browns’ quest to relive their glory days. We may write the story’s ending based on biases and projections before the game itself As if mental telepathy can shape a game’s outcome. Then reality sets in, dashing delusions, and we start anew.
The Browns. cellar-dwellers in the AFC North for years, shocked the Bengals, 27-3 on opening day. Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smit hit Joe Burrow eight times. Post-game talk focused on Burrow’s injured calf, perhaps injured from the constant pressure. Overall, the Browns’ stellar defense went unaknowledged and unappreciated.
Browns Throwback Jersey
In Pittsburgh, the Browns sported plain white helmets, white and brown jerseys with shadowed numbers. The Browns throwback jersey reminded fans of their excellence under Paul Brown. In 1946, the All-America Football Conference’s inaugural season, the Browns dominated with starts like Otto Graham, Marion Motley, and Lou Groza. Led by coach Paul Brown, they won all four AAFC titles, amassing a 52-4-3 record.
Otto Graham took the Browns to championship games from 1946 to 1955. The 1949 AAFC-NFL settlement brought the Browns, 49ers and Colts into the NFL. Other AAFC teams folded or merged.
Cleveland Browns and the Quality of the NFL
Initially, skeptics doubted the new NFL teams’ quality. On opening day 1950, the Browns trounced the defending champion Eagles, 35-10, silencing the critics. The Cleveland Browns won the NFL Eastern Conference six straight years, and the league title in 1950. 1954 amd 1955. That 10-year run paralleled only the 1960s Packer’s excellence.
Nick Chubb injured
Fans envisioned the current Browns matching their bygone glory days, donning the Browns throwback jersey. Bt the team faltered against Pittsburgh. Deshaun Watson threw a pick-six on the opening drive. Star running back Nick Chubb suffered a potentially career-ending injury. Watson had four turnovers.
Despite the setbacks, the Browns’ defense played hard. Their stellar defense will win games this season. However, without Chubb and Watson, the offense will struggle to score consistently. The storyline of greatness and the Cleveland Browns throwback jersey may have to wait another year.
Barry Schustermann
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