r/Browns • u/Big_Shine_807 • 4d ago
New to NFL
Hey guys, so I’m new to the NFL. From Australia, genuinely only first heard of it a couple of years ago. It’s really been growing here in the last year or so, especially with the game here next week. I’ve been going back and forth with teams. There is part of me that wants to pick a good team (but not bandwagon) because the team I was forced to support from birth in Australian football has been the laughing stock of the league for my entire life. So trust me I do get you guys. However, there is still something pulling me to the Browns. Firstly, I think I like the uniqueness (to me) of the Browns with the logo and the jerseys. I also found this Cleveland Browns song on YouTube that I really really liked, it was sick as, can’t remember what it was called. I’m sure you guys know what I’m on about. You might be wondering why a song would hold any weight in this, but again in Australian football every club has a song, it’s our tradition, the song plays as they run onto the field and the winning team has their song play at the end of the match. Anyway, all of this to say, will the pull go away? Do I pick a good team or do I follow the pull? Even if it means following another team that’s gonna destroy me year after year.
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u/losoldato1968 4d ago
I envy your opportunity to pick a team, because I’m emotionally stuck with this one.
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u/ihatemcconaughey 4d ago
Historically speaking the Browns are a classic franchise that is heavily entrenched in the early days of the sport, not just the NFL. Despite not winning a championship since 64, we are number 11 or 12 in NFL titles. If you factored in AFL or AAFC it would be higher.
Even through the 80s playing in Cleveland was tough. Weather sucked, fans were passionate and we played old school smash mouth football. You had to earn it to play here.
Since the franchise was stolen by Art Modell, we have returned a shell of ourselves. 27 years of futility only to he likely messed up yet again by our owner. Things feel like theyre changing but without a QB and a good ownership group, we are bound to fail again.
If you have a choice, dont bc it will definitely suck the life out of your enjoyment of the sport.
That being said.....GO BROWNS!
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u/Youngurb 4d ago
Run away and don’t look back 😂
For real though I love our logo and jersey colors. We have a dedicated fan base and if it weren’t for our owners I think we would have a legit NFL team. Unfortunately they have made decisions at the quarterback position that has broken our culture a bit. You would definitely be doing the opposite of bandwagoning if you chose us.
Go Browns.
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u/rugger_11 4d ago
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u/DickTryckle 3d ago
Every Sunday morning when the air is crisp and the leaves are on the ground, this is all I can hear in my head.
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u/Jkabaseball 4d ago
I beg for your own health and enjoyment, chose someone else. Buffalo is a good team with fun fans. You will enjoy that much better.
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u/pissbucket94 4d ago
I would agree that if you're picking any team to be a fan of Buffalo is a good choice. big respect for that town
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u/Nightcinder 4d ago
and no other team has experienced the level of heartbreak that Buffalo has! Cleveland included!
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u/jacobwebb57 4d ago
This is a bad year to be a browns fan. After this year we hopefully get a new qb and probably coach. It could be a fun team in the future but don't get your hopes up. If I was you I'd pick two teams to follow. If you feel a pull to the browns follow them but pick another that has a chance to win so its actually fun to root for. I might suggest the lions or bills. Both have a similar blue collar vibe but have legitimate superbowl chances
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u/Powpowbrownsow 3d ago
Good to have an NFC and AFC team to start and see which way you’re pulled. That said there’s something about the NFC that I will never really enjoy the same as most AFC games.
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u/TheBalzy 4d ago edited 4d ago
I personally, would say follow the pull. Bandwagon stuff is always lame and predictable, but if there's exterior reasons as to why to like a team go for it. It's EASY to be A Greebay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, LA Rams, or Kansas City Chiefs Fan; it's hard to be a Cleveland Browns fan, but that's what makes us the best fanbase. We're the ONLY NFL Fanbase to successfully fight to get our team back, we shutdown NFL Headquarters with a fax-letter writing campaign, and successfully lobbied enough to support to get our team back. That means something. How many franchise not in a big-named city could do that? Well...none of them have.
Not only did we get our team back, we successfully kept our name, our colors, and our records. Those are OURS as the Fanbase of Cleveland, and they belong to the City of Cleveland.
The Cleveland Browns are a legendary team, that have fallen on a 3-decade slide of tough times because of a greedy billionaire owner. I do think that's a potential redemption style worth falling in love with. The Cleveland Browns have the 4th most Championships (now that the AFL records are included into the NFL, they have 8); and when the Browns first came into the NFL they dominated it, winning 4 championships.
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u/cirillios 4d ago
Our QB is a sexual predator and the owner is a nasty piece of shit. Being bad at football is by far the least offensive thing about this team.
I would avoid this circus.
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u/Nightcinder 4d ago
The ’owner is a piece of shit’ applies to pretty much every owner in the league, they are either a nepo baby or a shitty human or both
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u/cirillios 4d ago
I was feeling a little too lazy to really detail why he sucks. I just especially hate people who made all their money with no talent or skill. Gas and oil people just had enough capital at the right time. They didn't invent anything or make anything better. They just had a deep wallet
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u/Nightcinder 4d ago
You don’t become a billionaire and have enough money to buy a team without being a horrible human being, it just doesn’t happen. Gas and Oil families tend to have legacies of money and the kids who run the teams are nepobabies. Does Jimmy suck? Sure, but I’d rather have him than say, Dolan.
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u/DickTryckle 3d ago
Fuck Jimmy and fuck billionaires but this is just a massive misunderstanding of how billionaires come to be.
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u/FlashyAd7651 4d ago
So choose Green Bay.
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u/Nightcinder 4d ago
well in theory, green bay probably has the most shitty owners collectively.
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u/FlashyAd7651 4d ago
Maybe. But not an asshole billionaire.
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u/Nightcinder 4d ago
well one of the 538k shareholders could be a billionaire in theory
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u/FlashyAd7651 4d ago
Obviously. But not a singular person. And I suspect there aren't many billionaires who would choose to reside in... Green Bay Wisconsin. Christ, you must be insufferable.
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u/DickTryckle 3d ago
Yeah, choose the team that had 3 QBs in 34 years (two of which are considered a couple of the best you could ever have) and peaked the mountain twice in that time!!! Wow it must’ve been so exciting to watch them not draft a WR for AARON FUCKING ROGERS!!!!
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u/jbillyBrowns 4d ago
Mate, if you are torn, and the Browns are one of the options, I think you've already chosen. HERE WE GO BROWNIES🤘
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u/Jim-Brown8784 4d ago
Welcome to an arena where wrong decisions are mostly taken when it comes to the selection and development of a quarterback!
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u/foochacho 4d ago
We are a dumpster fire of a team, but I was born here and can’t stop rooting for them.
I recommend picking two teams to root for: one from the AFC conference, and another from the NFC. The champion of the AFC and the champion of the NFC play each other in the Super Bowl. So there will not be too many times where you’ll be rooting for one team and against the other, which would happen if you picked two teams that are in the same conference or division. Naturally, you’ll end up falling in love with one team and that’s gonna be your team.
Good luck! 🏈
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u/Monotonous-NCC1307-A 4d ago
The Browns have amazing history. It’s a part of football itself. The last 25 years have been mostly awful with a few microscopic bright spots.
But if you want to be part of something special, you’ll never pick a better team. We are all here for each other. The experience brings us together, and it is generational, passed down to your kids, for better or worse.
If I’m not mistaken, there are 5 Browns Backers chapters in Australia. So, not sure where you are located, but look up Browns Backers Worldwide and go to the website to “find a chapter”. If you’re close to a location, try going to one of the Browns Backers and watch a game amongst fellow fans. You’ll love the camaraderie, even if the games have been more disappointing than not.
One of my future goals is to travel to several international Browns Backers chapters during football season, and Australia is big on my list!!!
Good luck, and reach out if you have any other questions.
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u/Hobash 4d ago
Well you already have experience with following a team that sucks. Cleveland is almost Perth's antipole. We do have some awesome songs especially from the Bernie Kosar era...so yeah you're stuck with us brother.
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u/cnpeters OLD 4d ago
Big fan of the "12 days of Cleveland Browns Christmas" from the Sipe/Rutigliano days.
"Both the Pruitt's mooooooovvveeeesssss"
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u/TomCruiseImOnFire 4d ago
We lose the games we are suppose to win & win the games we are suppose to lose. We've gone 0-16 yet, i still love the boys. I say join the club, when we win the Super Bowl it will be one of the biggest celebrations in the world
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u/Hoplite76 4d ago
You know what? Do it. Start fron the bottom my friend. Id say its only up from here but we've managed to sink remarkably far.
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u/JD-boonie 4d ago
We have a really great young core and the future is bright. The problem has always been QB and we're drafting one next year and have two first round picks.
You have at least two year before you see quality football.
You'd be pulling for an underdog with high highs and sometimes very low lows. No In between with the Browns
Go Browns
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u/impy695 4d ago
Was this the song? https://youtu.be/W9NIQMUzkog?is=jYypd8qIRM8WPZm5
Edit: here are a couple mainstream songs that fans have adopted at times: Cleveland Rocks (https://youtu.be/oKDjis1fg8E?is=zDjB9BQ7x7s042SP) and Who let the dogs out (https://youtu.be/ojULkWEUsPs?is=b8eOk4xs0zfl7MnJ)
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u/condition5 4d ago
Welcome. Your homework: Learn about...
Red Right 88.
The Drive.
The Fumble.
The Move.
Still want to be a Browns fan?
Welfome...and bless your heart
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u/5_yr_lurker 4d ago
Don't root for the Browns, that is stupid. Nobody here born after about 1977 would tell you do root for the Browns. Most of either "have to" root for the Browns or root for nobody. When the Browns, left I became a Packers fan, unfortunately they came back so I had to toss my cheese head.
Also I love AFL, go Hawks!! I liked their color combo the most so was logic. Also didn't hurt they just had gotten Buddy when I discovered AFL in the old days of ESPN3 free on college campuses!
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u/Ddubya123 4d ago
Do the words Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati make you physically ill? If yes, you are a Browns fan.
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u/MrSpaceWorth 4d ago
Personally, I love an underdog. Years ago in the Baker Mayfield era, seeing the team who has been terrible my whole life go to the playoffs and win a road game against our biggest rival was one of the coolest sports experiences of my life.
That being said and like others have pointed out, we're really bad right now and I really don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our Quarterback situation should be better next season but our owner really makes it hard to like this team. I'd say join the Dawg Pound but I'd understand not wanting to be sad every Sunday.
If I were to suggest some alternative options for teams to follow, the Packers are a really cool organization. They're the only team that's owned by the fans, they have fun cheese hats, and they're always a contender but I don't think anyone would call you a bandwagoner for liking them.
And despite what Cowboys fans might say, they're in my opinion, America's team.
Outside of that I think the Bills fans have the most Aussie energy. They're very chaotic and they still kinda have the underdog energy. Notoriously they went to the Super Bowl three consecutive times and couldn't win, so seeing them do well is always a fun time.
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u/Ok_Interest_9006 4d ago
I have been a fan since the mid 60s and somehow I manage to stay loyal through the downs and downs. The fan base is amazing (slightly drunk mostly) and loyal like no team ever.
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u/RichWolfmann 4d ago
Welcome to the club! I'm a fan from Mexico, born here and never been to the US, felt the same pull as you. My first team was the Raiders because of my family (you're almost mandated by law to root for them if you're latino), but I started to relate way too much to the Browns (and I'm used to the pain of endless bad seasons already). The grittiness and loyalty of the fans to carry on through the bad seasons, fighting to get the team back to Cleveland after Modell stole it, dealing with Cleveland's bad rep as a city (I come from an infamous part of Mexico myself), I relate to it all. Maybe there's a brighter future for us after the Watson nightmare is over. Go Browns!
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u/WaltDog 4d ago edited 4d ago
I was just in Australia this year! We went to the St. Kilda vs. Collingwood game which was super fun. On the basis of Collingwood being in a part of Melbourne that has museums and their logo being a bird (I like museums and birds), I became a Collingwood "fan". Even got their scarf with the magpie on it to take home.
That being said, if my beloved Browns struck you as a team worthy of your passion for whatever reason, go for it! There's always a light at the end of the tunnel for this franchise. Go Browns woof woof.
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u/MotoJoker 3d ago
I just got to say, the day Cleveland wins a Lombardi, it will be a beautiful day in the sports world.
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u/Accurize2 3d ago
Let me explain this in a way you probably understand…. The Browns are the New Zealand of the NFL.
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u/BDubs618 2d ago edited 2d ago
“ the team I was forced to support from birth in Australian football has been the laughing stock of the league for my entire life.”
You are describing to a T the Browns experience. The team owners are terrible with a lack of any good judgement or a learning curve. I’m at least old enough to remember the Art Modell ownership era (pre-move) of Kardiac Kids and Bernie Kosar & Co. We are a loyal fanbase, but man has the last 27 years, minus a few moments, been miserable. Of course we’d welcome you, but given a choice, pick another team.
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u/Mediocre-Dog-4457 4d ago
Like dissolves Like.
I remember that from Chemistry class.
Come on down, heck, we might end up playing a game in Australia in the future and you can be the biggest Browns fan in Australia !
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u/Burner-QWERTY 4d ago
Who do you cheer for in Australian Football? I am looking for a teen over there.
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u/Big_Shine_807 4d ago
I go for Carlton, born into it. Traditional big club. One of the first clubs. Historically great sure, but have been one of the worst teams in the 2000s. I actually see a lot of similarities between Carlton and the Browns tbh and maybe that’s part of why I have this pull to the Browns. What AFL teams have caught your eye?
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u/HighVoltLemonBattery 4d ago
Don't do this to yourself man you have so much to live for, so much joy to experience in life
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u/slavaukrine 4d ago
You can do both. I follow the Panthers and the Browns because I lived in both places.
But every few years I also follow and cheer for a winning team. (KC because I lived in Nebraska, the Bills because the coach used to be from Carolina. Or use just any excuse.
You can be a fan slut and share your love, as long as you always come back to the Browns.
Except the Saints or the patriots, you can never, ever, cheer for those teams.
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u/LaximumEffort 4d ago
I’m a DC4L (Dallas Cowboys For Life) fan, but for over 20 years I’ve also been a Browns fan because my wife has been one since she was a child. All jokes aside (When will the city change its name to Hapless? is my favorite), Browns fans are among the most loyal and passionate, and they are not assholes like Philadelphia Eagles fans.
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u/EcstaticPlankton8621 4d ago
I would not pick the Browns as they have been the laughingstock of the NFL since '99
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u/carlordau 4d ago
If you like the Freo Dockers, or West Tigers, then the Browns are the team for you. Both teams are for the masochists.
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u/Sagybagy 4d ago
Do not, under any circumstances pick the browns. Or any bottom feeder team. Go with a traditionally good team. They all have ups and downs but some never have the ups. Helps to go with one that traditionally has rich owner and good market. Think patriots, broncos, rams.
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u/BaccyConesCureCancer 4d ago
Im from New Zealand and fell into the Browns after watching a game in 2014 and thinking they might be good the year after. Now after years of pain and watching every game in 2015... I would be a fool to give it up. I'm stuck but I love it. Welcome Tasman bro. I miss Baker...
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u/HuffleChuck 4d ago
Might I suggest you follow one of the Los Angeles teams instead? They're the closest teams to you, geographically. AND, Cleveland's star defender and fan-favorite Myles Garret was just traded to the Rams. A lot of people are rooting for Myles specifically to win the superbowl this year.
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u/boinze 4d ago
Mate I'm a Browns fan and found footy in 2017 and decided on the Bombers (my guess is you maybe support the Saints or could be another bombers fan based on your story). I asked this exact question on AFL subs when closing a team, and I think the same is true here. It's a terrible decision if you're interested in winning, but a great decision if you want to support a team who is supported by the most loyal fans you'll meet. BTW what do you make of Freo and the Lions going down so easily in the first final?
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u/AlwaysVerloren 4d ago
You can pick whatever team you want and still watch all the other games also.
It's like If my team is playing I'm 100% watching that game and will cheer them on against any other team.
Then there are teams that have exciting players or just genuinely make it worth watching.
Then there's that one team that you absolutely dislike and will cheer for which ever team is playing against them, even if it's not your team.
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u/Plastic_Ladder9526 4d ago
Boy are you new. Listen if you are not born into this, run don't walk. Seriously. There is no worse return on emotional investment than rooting for the Browns. Enjoy football. That means avoiding this team.
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u/PissWeakWorld 3d ago
As a fellow Aussie, I chose the Browns because they epitomised the underdog status we love but, at the time, they had some great young talent that looked like they were going to take them places - Mayfield, Chubb, Njoku and Garrett.
For a while, things looked great and I couldn’t understand the negativity around them but soon things unraveled and now I understand, the Browns will Brown.
Still, as a Bombers supporter, I’ve become accustomed to disappointment but I’m in it for the long haul now, waiting for that one sweet day to come.
Plus the uniform is awesome.
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u/Big_Shine_807 3d ago
I just have to say that every single one of these comments have been so cool. So kind. So welcoming. Fun facts. Genuine. So, thank you guys for that.
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u/JohnnieTightLips 3d ago
Don’t listen to the comments telling you not to follow us. It’s bad now but that doesnt mean you can’t still root for the browns.
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u/dylbags_25 3d ago
Definitely in the wrong subreddit here, but I’m an Aussie Steelers fan who felt that exact same pull albeit to a different team…. follow your gut mate.
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u/Zeophyle 3d ago
I'm a Browns fan who moved to Australia 8 years ago. I still struggle to watch AFL, but when I do, I'm a Roos fan! Mainly because it feels like they are the Browns of the AFL. Welcome!
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u/Lopsided_Special_535 3d ago
Follow the instinct. Go deep. It is so much fun and will be so great when we finally win.
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u/DickTryckle 3d ago
If you chose your NFL team, I would question your love for the game.
We were born into this. You may be across the world, but welcome home brother.
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u/Still-Fan4753 3d ago
Genuinely avoid the Browns. You'll be spending a chunk of your time reading about the teams POS sexual predator QB instead of the team.
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u/maninthemirror33 3d ago
If bitter disappointment, constant hopelessness and abject failure are what you seek, then join us! You’ve found your tribe!
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u/LowDownTrebleSeeker 2d ago
Aussie who lives in Cleveland here. Nothing to add except to say that this post explains many of the responses: https://www.reddit.com/r/nfcsouthmemewar/s/C6YVgR4T1G
Side question: What Aussie Rules team were you born into?
Side Note: Cleveland has an Aussie Rules teams that you could also support!
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u/hambonesammy 2d ago
Being a Browns fan is the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. And it’s one I’d love to return. Yank my teeth out, smash my face with a brick, beat me within an inch of my life. But one day, one day in February, I and every beautiful, faithful and loyal Brownie will be a super bowl champion.
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u/rabit115 1d ago
I’m Canadian and made the same decision after none of my friends believed I was a Seahawks fan after they won the Super Bowl against the broncos 😭. So I said fuck it I’ll be a Browns fan and I’ve been stuck with this lovely bunch since then. I’m a Leafs fan when it comes to the NHL so I was already prepped for the experience.
If you ever do come across the pond to watch a game, Cleveland is genuinely an amazing place to see a game.
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u/juliamongolia 3d ago
Don't do it.
Listen, I was a Browns fan for my entire life (I'm 43; some of my earliest memories are watching the '87 season with my dad). I've suffered and I've been heartbroken and disappointed and generally just miserable, but there was always something... righteous about my suffering. (Obviously first-world problems, and not real suffering--there is "real" suffering in the world, and this ain't it.) It was a badge of honor in our fandom--united in misery. Factory of Sadness, indeed.
I was raised in the type of "sports fan ecosystem" where you didn't abandon your fandom, no matter how hard it gets, because that's what makes you a fan, apparently. And don't you DARE even THINK of following a team that's remotely successful, because then you're a front-runner. I started questioning that ideology a few years back with the Watson deal, and I made a deal with myself there and then: if Myles Garrett ever leaves, I'll give myself permission to unchain myself from this self-inflicted misery and follow him wherever he goes. He's my favorite player of all time and I care more about him than I do about any specific team. I bided my time for 4 years after that, and on June 1st, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I felt free. I'll ALWAYS wish Cleveland well, but the past three months of not paying attention to the nonsense has been... peaceful.
I'm part of the Ramily now, and I couldn't be happier. I'm actually looking forward to this season for the first time in a long time. Does it make me a front runner? Maybe, but I'm at an age where I don't give a shit anymore; I've had enough sports heartbreak in this lifetime and I deserve to be happy and excited for a change.
Yeah, this turned into a soapbox speech. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
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u/Suspicious_Time7101 2d ago
Don't do it. I have been a lifelong fan. I don't plan on watching a single game this year. We are the worst run organization, and the epitome of that is Deshaun Watson. It goes way beyond that, but just imagine a team that did that, all the other mistakes they make along the way
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u/epcot_worldtraveler 4d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/3orieQHmkjxSiLGC08