Why the Cleveland Browns have the best fans in professional sports

The Cleveland Browns rob me of my sanity every Sunday — and last weekend’s 38-24 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field was no different.

I take one day off per week during football season from my retail job, and it’s always Sunday for my Cleveland Browns. Considering my family owns six season tickets, it’s safe to say I spend most off days at First Energy Stadium wallowing in despair.

So why do I, and an army of Browns Backers, expose ourselves to the franchise’s perpetual ineptitude?

It’s simple — because we are the best fans in sports.

Myself, and the familiar faces I see in section 133, are in this together. After attending the Browns’ most recent home game, a 12-9 OT loss to the Tennessee Titans, I was especially defeated.

I am officially broken. Thanks @browns. pic.twitter.com/crIMGBgb9Q
— habz (@ehabz19) October 1, 2017

Now, I’m not trying to list my fan resume — nobody enjoys that — but I began to wonder the last time I saw the Browns win a football game that wasn’t an exhibition.

The answer: September 29, 2013 against the Cincinnati Bengals, by a score of 17-6. Rob Chudzinksi was the head coach, Brian Hoyer (Cleveland’s finest) was under center, and get this — Willis McGahee was our starting running back. That team finished the 2013 campaign 4-12, a mark I sadly envy at the moment.

Since that wonderful, victorious day I’ve attended 14 home games — and my record is the same as that of the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 0-14.

From the blocked FG attempt on Monday Night Football returned by the Ravens for a walk-off touchdown in 2015, to Johnny Manziel drunkenly losing 30-0 to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014: I feel like I’ve seen it all.

But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Although, family members and those who were in attendance for “The Drive” and “Red Right 88” quickly point out my 24-year-old self does not remember the heartbreak of losing the team in the1990s. While truthful, I proudly call myself a Browns Backer amid a generation of younger fans beginning to lose faith.

The reason Cleveland Browns fans are the best in all of sports stems from a common thread in Northeast Ohio — loyalty. Cleveland is our home, and only Clevelanders comprehend the immense pride we take in our professional sports franchises.

Just take a look at the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 championship parade as evidence.

The city of Cleveland is starving for success on the gridiron. As the season drags on for the Browns, don’t be misled by the vacant seats at First Energy Stadium.

More from Factory of Sadness

Embattled owner Jimmy Haslam may be losing the wallets of his fanbase late in the season. But he will never lose the passion exhibited toward the team.

We’ll still watch every Sunday — whether in person, or on the tube. We’ll still call our local sports talk shows every Monday to gripe about another Sunday debacle. We’ll still treat the NFL Draft as if it’s the Super Bowl: And proceed to purchase the jersey of our favorite first-round pick(s).

Haslam’s biggest fear should be indifference toward his football team. After the team’s botched clock management heading into the half Sunday, Browns Twitter displayed a wide variety of emotions.

Specifically, anger and disgust. Fair or not, I hope the Pilot J CEO sees the emotion as a positive.

Why?

Because at least his fans are feeling something. Imagine this level of ineptitude being reached by an organization such as the Jacksonville Jaguars. There would be no choice but to move the franchise.

Bottomline, Jimmy Haslam doesn’t deserve us. Quite frankly, he may be the worst owner in professional sports — but it doesn’t matter.

Next: 2nd half predictions: When will the Browns win?

Like my fellow Dawg Pound diehards, I’ll toss one of my 40 Browns jerseys on every Sunday; proceed to throw my dog bones around my neck, and consume every snap in hopes of emerging victorious. At some point, the Factory of Sadness will produce happiness. Right?

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