Why it doesn't MATTER what YOU think -

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NFL > Cleveland Browns > Why it doesn't MATTER what YOU think -

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June 10, 2009, 09:45 AM

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So I have made a discovery over the past couple of weeks.

Why do I root for Cleveland? Because this is the city that was closest to where I was born.... Because I grew up around a group of kids who played football in their backyard and pretended they were Bernie Kosar and Eric Metcalf. I started my career in a city listening to the Indians go from the worst team in baseball to a team that had the likes of Manny Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Omar Visquel.... even Albert Bell, who was a pain in the ass but could hit the ball a mile (corked bat or not) was fun to watch. Listening to Joe Tait calling the Cavs and Mark Price hitting another 3 pointer was a highlight as well....even to see Jordan take it away in the end were good memories because of the people I was around and the conversations we had.

Then there was the city... the Mistake by the lake... a place where the river caught on fire.... being transformed by building a new baseball park... Yes, I was there soon after Jacobs field opened... I was in the bleachers at the time when we realized that not only did we have a new stadium but the team was pretty darn good too. I remember chanting "YOU DON'T SUCK" with a group of fans who also realized that things were turning around for our team and our city.

Even in the dark days when Art Model stole our team.... the NFL realized that this CITY was a real sports town and that they would be awarded a new team. THIS was the time when I realized that there are classy fans from other cities... most notably Pittsburgh.... who were just as outraged by why Model did... and were just as happy when the Cleveland Browns came back. REAL FANS who love their team... but don't have to kick a city when it is down to make themselves feel better.

Lastly, I am a Cleveland fan because I remember days at the park with my Dad and my brothers.... and that as hard as my Dad's life was at times.... he could be happy for a few hours sharing sports with his family. Sports is more than winning... it's more than the City it represents........ and it's ALWAYS been more than sticking it to less fortunate teams' fans. Why I am a Cleveland fan is the RIGHT reason.

What I discovered in the past couple of weeks is that there are a number of really pathetic people in the world who think that being a fan is about winning... who think being a fan is about sticking it to less fortunate teams....taking over boards.... pointing out why it sucks to be a fan of any other team but theirs. But most of all... the most pathetic of fans... are the ones who take a sick GLEE in the misfortunes or even the POSSIBLE misfortunes of another team. It's pathetic and sad that these "fans" think it's acceptable to wish for another teams' demise, to wish for an icon to leave.... just so they can gloat. It's sad that anyone would take someone else's frustration and pain as a reason to celebrate... or boast. But, sadly, I am not surprised.... because I am sure these are the same people who get in fights a little league fields and teach their children to have no integrity.

Given the choice, then, I choose my fandom of Cleveland teams for the RIGHT reasons over your pathetic kind of cheering... the kind that's empty, friendless, famliless and valueless... the kind that isn't about sportsmanship but is about upsmanship. Because, in the end... no matter how many championships we don't win... no matter how many stars leave for more money....no matter how many jokes are made.... I still have the many reasons why my life is better for the sports that brought my family and friends together around something that still produces some really great meaningful memories... and in the end, all you have is your pathetic hollow victories to gloat about.

And THAT, whoever you are, is why it will NEVER matter what YOU think.

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June 10, 2009 10:00 AM ET

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Beautiful.

Captain America

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June 10, 2009 10:05 AM ET

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Well said, Buckaye.

LowCountryBrownsFan

Savannah , GA

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June 10, 2009 10:33 AM ET

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I'm new to this board guys, but that was a great post. Thank you, sir.

BuckeyeManX

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June 10, 2009 10:34 AM ET

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First time post to this board, but I have read it occasionally and all I see are posts from "Art".

The fact that so much time in your life is dedicated to this board really speaks volumes about how hollow your life is. If you are a fan of another team and actually post half as much to another board as you do to this one, I mean, wow, what a waste of time. From what I've seen, your posts all revolve around and always lead back to: "Cleveland Sucks". Very insightful.

The fact of the matter is that your posts are most often meaningless and will serve no purpose other than to further entrench the actual Cleveland fans. All teams have had bad years, even Pittsburgh, but times always change. How long was it until Boston finally won a Championship? The time will come and it will be much sweeter for those who have remained fans all their lives. And if not now, then at least you stayed true to your hometown/team. You didn't jump ship when the going got tough.

My advice to those taking away time in their daily lives to respond: Don't. Or click on "Report Abuse" on everyone of his posts without responding. It is, essentially, what he's doing.

"Art", get a life.

TNo

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June 10, 2009 10:44 AM ET

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Wow, BuckAye, you said a mouthful. You pretty much covered it all. Spectacular post.

ITZMEBROWNSFAN

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June 10, 2009 10:54 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 10:34 AM ET 06.10 by TNo

How long was it until Boston finally won a Championship? The time will come and it will be much sweeter for those who have remained fans all their lives. And if not now, then at least you stayed true to your hometown/team. You didn't jump ship when the going got tough.

My advice to those taking away time in their daily lives to respond: Don't. Or click on "Report Abuse" on everyone of his posts without responding. It is, essentially, what he's doing. "Art", get a life.

Yes, how sweet it will be!

I think that other guy was a fan that "jumped ship" and he is lonely.

Over use.....Report Abuse.

ITZMEBROWNSFAN

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June 10, 2009 10:58 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 10:34 AM ET 06.10 by TNo

How long was it until Boston finally won a Championship? The time will come and it will be much sweeter for those who have remained fans all their lives. And if not now, then at least you stayed true to your hometown/team.

I'll even be fine with how after a Cleveland team wins one, there will be all kinds of front-runners and girls with pink logo merch on. In fact, I will be the first in line to buy my daughter one.

BuckeyeManX

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June 10, 2009 11:08 AM ET

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Well said, my friend. Although I am a Cowboys fan, I wish the Browns the best of luck this coming year and in the future, because it's fans like you who deserve a competitive team. Our teams used to have a rivalry of sorts back when I was younger........Jim Brown, LeRoy Kelly.........Brian Sipe.................yes, I know who they are, not because I am from Ohio, or Cleveland, but because I am a fan of ALL of the teams, and of the game itself. The Cowboys just happen to be my favorite and have been since I can remember.

All teams will have their haters and bashers. The Cowboys even have hater fans, if you can believe that. They love the team, but hate everything they do..........hang in there.

Bull_Shirt

Orange, TX

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June 10, 2009 12:03 PM ET

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WOW - I must have hit a nerve with someone as they completely freaked out and moved a million posts ahead of this one.

BuckAye

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June 10, 2009 12:14 PM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 12:03 PM ET 06.10 by BuckAye

WOW - I must have hit a nerve with someone as they completely freaked out and moved a million posts ahead of this one.

Yes, isn't it great?

ITZMEBROWNSFAN

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June 10, 2009 01:51 PM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 12:14 PM ET 06.10 by ITZMEBROWNSFAN

Yes, isn't it great?

LOL it was only after I posted this that I realized what had happened.... what a day! LOL

BuckAye

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June 10, 2009 02:14 PM ET

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I'm glad I checked in to see the boards today. This just made my afternoon seem a lot better.

LowCountryBrownsFan

Savannah , GA

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June 10, 2009 02:33 PM ET

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Awesome. Even though the Browns might be the underdog more often then favored on Sundays, there is nothing better than watching the orange helmets shine in the sun or more likely the stadium lights on overcast days. Real fans are the fans that look for optimism even though they might be 14 point underdogs. Well said and Go Browns.

SomedayinCLE

Brunswick , OH

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June 10, 2009 07:07 PM ET

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Put this in a blog next time, not a message board.

For the love of God.

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June 10, 2009 07:07 PM ET

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lovin this post. great work

CW92

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June 10, 2009 08:58 PM ET

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Couldn't agree more. It'll pay off when the Cavs win next year.

I live in New England now but I will only ever root for Cleveland sports teams. A real fan doesnt switch teams just because they want to be winners. Once its our turn it'll all be that much better.

Chitwood

Fan Nation, HQ

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June 10, 2009 09:40 PM ET

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Outstanding!!

BDL-24

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June 10, 2009 10:19 PM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 07:07 PM ET 06.10 by XX

Put this in a blog next time, not a message board.For the love of God.

what do you care?... don't read it if it's too long.

BuckAye

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June 10, 2009 10:38 PM ET

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Aw, comone man. that post was so long, nobody will read it. You probably won't get any feedback.

LOL, Dos Equis, it was a good post.

ITZMEBROWNSFAN

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June 10, 2009 10:58 PM ET

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great post man. no city deserves a championship ring more than ctown. I look forward to the day when there is a victory parade downtown and witness the pure joy on the faces of the best damn fans in sports -- its long overdue.