Want to know how cool the Cleveland Browns are? They don’t even need a logo on their helmets. Their fans are as loyal as they come, filling the home stadium season after season no matter how many wins or losses the Browns have. In fact, a global fan club – Browns Backers Worldwide – claims to have a chapter in every major city in the United States.
As for the name, there’s some debate over how the team became known as the Browns. Some say they were named after their first coach (Paul Brown) while others maintain the name was inspired by boxer Joe Louis (aka “The Brown Bomber”). In any case, a fan contest was held in 1945 and “Browns” became the official nickname.
Feel free to use that trivia next time you’re sitting next to a Browns fan at a game in Florida – that is while they’re not barking. More on that later. In the meantime, here are five items every Cleveland Browns fan should own.
3-Piece Tailgate Kit
It’s an instant tailgating party – just add beer and food. Cleveland is an epic food town so it’s fitting that you should have a professional style tailgating kit for all those pierogi, brats and frozen custards. Just remember when it’s all over, you still have a game to attend!
Dawg Pound Nation Flag
The east end zone of FirstEnergy Stadium is the official headquarters of the Dawg Pound, but you can plant this flag anywhere. By the way, the idea of the Dawg Pound was born in 1985 when the team’s defensive players adopted a “dog vs. cat” attitude toward chasing down opposing quarterbacks. These days, the raucous fans who inhabit those end zone seats take the label to heart, wearing dog noses, masks and bone-shaped hats to cheer – and bark – the team along when the defense records a sack.
Browns Throw Blanket
This blanket isn’t just for show. Highs only reach the lower 40s in December inside FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. Maybe you need two of these to help keep you warm.
Cleveland Cap
It looks like this hat is old enough to have seen the most recent NFL championship for the Browns – that’s 1964 for those who are wondering. Relax, Brownies – that soft look with the curved visor is just what the manufacturer intended. Wear it to the playoffs this year with confidence.
Browns Beach Towel
Brave the shores of Lake Erie with this towel if you dare. We were thinking it’d fit in better on a Florida beach. You’d be surprised how many Browns fans live in Florida nowadays. (Maybe you wouldn’t, if you saw the orange-clad fans that fill the NFL stadiums when Cleveland travels south.)
