For any Cleveland Browns fan, the mere sight of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ black and gold is enough to make them shudder. After 70 years of intense competition — the longest rivalry in the AFC — the Dawg Pound hosts their nemeses Jan. 3 to close out the 2020 season and try to avenge an October drubbing.
While the Steelers currently lead the rivalry 77-59-1, the fight across the border hasn’t always been filled with disappointment. For the first 40 matchups between the teams, the Browns went 31-9, including this matchup Nov. 20, 1955. Browns fullback Fred “Curly” Morrison, pictured here moments before getting run out of bounds by safety Richie McCabe, was one of the team’s biggest stars and led the team in rushing. Right after this play, Lou “The Toe” Groza did his thing, kicking a field goal to extend the Browns’ lead to 23-0. The Browns ultimately won 41-14 and would go on to win the 1955 NFL Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Things haven’t gone as well since this era, but the excitement around Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett at least give the team a fighting chance in this month’s showdown at FirstEnergy Stadium.
