CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 03: Cleveland Browns fans react during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Browns fans remain some of the most loyal in all of sports and waited outside late Sunday night to welcome the team home.
The Cleveland Browns nearly pulled off the upset Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. A Chad Henne scramble and a clutch fourth-down call by Andy Reid halted the comeback late and the Browns headed back to Cleveland with plenty to be happy about even in defeat.
There was obviously frustration from players and fans, but the latter group came out to support the team and let everyone know how much this season truly meant after so much dysfunction from the franchise in the past.
Browns fans show up in support
The final result was not what anyone in Cleveland wanted. However, getting to the Divisional Round and keeping it close against the defending champs was something to celebrate. The fact the Browns even got into the playoffs was a major accomplishment considering they had not done so since the 2002 season.
The weather was frigid Sunday night and that did not matter. The players, coaches, and staff got to see the support and that will hopefully let them know they are appreciated.
Cleveland has always been a Browns town. Fans wanted the team to get back to its winning ways that had disappeared for the past few decades and they finally did the impossible in 2020. It is fitting the Browns picked 2020 as the year to turn things around.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic limited fan attendance all around the NFL this season. The players should know the support was still there, but it was not the same. Cleveland fans braving the cold and showing up was a nice gesture. The true party will take place when stadiums can be full again and fans can let out all the pent up excitement from over a year of waiting.