In Northeast Ohio, phrases such as The Drive and The fumble bring back emotions of depression and anxiety. These are situations where our beloved Cleveland Browns came so close to winning pivotal games and making a Super Bowl. I am Charles Talbert, a fourth-year senior at the University of Akron who is a passionate sports fanatic. My father would explain the more heartbreaking moments from the eighties; considering I was born in 1985, I did not know the severity of these instances.
The drive took place on January 11, 1987, between the visiting Denver Broncos and the Browns. This loss was so upsetting because everyone in Cleveland Municipal Stadium during that AFC Championship contest felt Cleveland was the overwhelming favorite and going to their first Super Bowl in franchise history. John Elway, the Broncos quarterback late in the game, was in a tough position, starting the series from the 2-yard line on their own side of the field. In other words, Elway would have to lead his team ninety-eight yards to tie the game. After a five-minute methodical march down the field, John Elway did the unthinkable, leading his reeling squad to a tie score at the end of regulation. Denver eventually won the game in overtime with a field goal to send Cleveland packing as Elway celebrated his team’s victory (NFL, 2015).
Just one year later, Denver beat Cleveland again, this time from a fumble by Ernest Byner late in the game. Cleveland legend Bernie Kosar was leading the Browns into Bronco’s territory, and that is when the running back coughed up the ball as they got into the red zone. The 1987 loss took a toll on my dad and Browns fans across the nation. My dad and uncle would argue about this game every Christmas. My uncle blamed Ernest Byner for the loss. However, my dad will always blame John Elway; he hated Elway with passion.
Nevertheless, these defeats are the most memorable losses experienced by diehard Cleveland fans. The following fifty-two years would only make things worse for the depressed Cleveland fan. But the feeling was surreal when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving led the 2016 Cavaliers to an NBA finals victory. The first for any Cleveland franchise since the 1964 Browns. A record one million people celebrated that championship, all along the parade route (Justice, 2019).
My intention for this exclusive blog is to relive some of those faux pas moments in between the years of celebrating a championship. I will explain how many of the blunders had several layers that could have prevented years of what-ifs and heartaches. So, sit back, and open your favorite adult beverage as I illustrate ten infamous moments of the last thirty years.
References
Justice, C. (2019, June 22). It's been 3 years since the Cavs championship parade, but it feels like yesterday. News Five Cleveland. https://www.news5cleveland.com sports/basketball/ cavaliers/its-been-3-years-since-the-cavs-championship-parade-but-it-feels-like-yesterday#:~:text=An%20estimated%201.3%20million%20people,rally%20ceremony%20at%20Public%20Square.
NFL. (2015) 'The Drive': Browns vs. Broncos 1986 AFC Championship Game highlights [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Px-tHzMEY-I
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