The hype is real. The traffic proves it.
Sure, it was just a preseason game, but there’s clearly something different, something special about the Cleveland Browns.
Most summer evenings, when I walk from Cleveland Magazine’s Theater District offices to my parking lot, I’m usually met with Cleveland Indians fans (I’ve got a nice view of Progressive Field from my desk) and moderate traffic.
But the night of the Aug. 8 game against the Washington Redskins, cars were backed up on Euclid Avenue, spilling onto the length of East 14th Street, each of them full of passengers dressed in their finest orange-and-brown uniforms. Usually a solid 7-minute drive from Playhouse Square to FirstEnergy Stadium on a good day, that night, excitement bubbled over into Tribe territory as fans poured into downtown Cleveland to catch their first sight of a revived, rejuvenated and ready-to-win football team.
Cleveland’s a football town — even when we’re at our worst. And we’ve been that for far too long. With an impressive, star-studded roster — hungry second-year starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, throw-it-and-I’ll-catch-it Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive powerhouse Myles Garrett — the Browns have gone from underdogs to top dawgs.
We’re here for it — and know you are too.
So score big this season with our essential fan guide. We’ve got the top spots for tailgating — from the always popular and always wild Muni Lot to the more chill and family-friendly Burke Lakefront Airport Lot. Our playbook includes the best gear — think coolers, grills, sweatshirts and, of course, cornhole boards (who doesn’t love that game?).
Plus, we catch up with some of our favorite Browns personalities and fans (even one diehard who wore a Cleveland Browns suit to this year’s Kentucky Derby) on why they’re pumped for what’s sure to be a memorable season. And with all the buzz that’s sure to follow the Browns and our city this year, here’s my pro-tip: Expect traffic.
It’s a sign that good things happen to those who wait.
Editor's Note: Cleveland Is A Football Town Again
The Baker Mayfield-led Cleveland Browns hype is real — and we're here for it, writes editor Kim Schneider.
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8:00 AM EST
August 26, 2019