2016 Election: 6 Times Presidential Politics Crossed With Cleveland Sports

2016 Election: 6 Times Presidential Politics Intersected With Cleveland Sports

June 16, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; General view of the presidential seal on Air Force One as President Barack Obama along with Vice President Joe Biden leaves the Orlando International Airport Thursday afternoon to meet with the Families of victims of the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub. Mandatory Credit: Craig Rubadoux/Florida Today via USA TODAY NETWORK /

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Oct 17, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the KI Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK – Wisconsin via USA TODAY NETWORK /

Donald Trump and Brian Sipe

Both 2016 Presidential candidates have ties to Cleveland athletes, although Trump’s came well before he decided to “Make America Great Again.”

Over 30 years ago, Donald Trump owned the New Jersey Generals, a team in the United States Football League.

Beloved quarterback Brian Sipe was in a contract dispute with the Browns, and Trump wanted him to jump leagues.

Current ESPN Cleveland Browns analyst Tony Grossi broke the story, because he was interviewing Trump at his New York City office. He was there because Trump was a suitor, and he was assigned the task of writing a profile on the billionaire to buy the Indians at the time. Grossi was going over over questions when Sipe called to talk to future GOP nominee.

The Browns ditched Sipe after the 1983 season for youngster Paul McDonnell. Sipe signed the Generals and went 14-4, losing in the USFL’s championship game.

Trump replaced him with Doug Flutie the following season because was more of a marquee name, according to Grossi.

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