The Cleveland Browns’ most recent loss had some fans crying in agony. One local radio personality called it one of worst Browns’ losses ever.
Sure, it was frustrating when the brief elation of watching San Diego’s kicker miss a game-winning 39-yard field goal was quickly replaced by the gut punch of seeing an offsides penalty called on the Browns. Kick #2 went through the uprights and became yet another chapter in the unique history of Browns’ football.
But the WORST LOSS EVER? That radio guy obviously is not a local. This loss was a paper cut in comparison to what Browns’ fans have been through over the years.
And to be honest, I wasn’t too crushed by this ending. Society says that kids have become desensitized to violence by all of the shoot’em up video games they play. Well I think I have been pretty much desensitized to crushing Cleveland losses by all of the crazy endings I have seen through my four decades of Browns’ football.
To show how crazy Browns’ football has been, I am not even gonna go choose from all of those crazy, quirky, ‘Only in Cleveland’ moments that have become like folk tales. I am only gonna look at the field goals from my days as a fan. Just to clarify, I am not looking for the most clutch or painful kicks. I am just pulling out the crazy happenstances that always seem to be a part of Browns football.
NOMINEES FOR THE CRAZIEST PAINFUL FIELD GOALS:
January 3rd, 1987: Jets at Browns (divisional play-off game)
The #1-seeded Browns miraculously rally from a 10-point deficit in the final four minutes to take the Jets to overtime. In the extra stanza, Bernie Kosar and company quickly take command, driving down to the 5-yard line. Mark Mosley, who replaced an injured Matt Bahr late in the season, comes in for a chip-shot kick to give the Browns their first play-off win since 1969.
And he promptly shanks it from 23-yards out.
Thankfully, in the second OT, he nails a game-winning 27-yarder and avoids becoming the Bill Buckner of Cleveland football.
January 11th, 1987: Broncos at Browns (AFC Championship Game)
John Elway conducted ‘The Drive’ to force overtime. In the extra period, bare-footed Rich Karlis made a 33-yarder to send Denver to the Super Bowl.
Or did he????
Many, including then-owner Art Modell, claimed it was a miss.
Check out the video and you be the judge.
November 13, 2011: Rams at Browns
Browns lose 13-12 when Phil Dawson badly misses a 22-yard chip shot with 2:09 left. Replays show that the snap hit the leg of the left guard, causing the ball to skip to the holder and forcing Dawson to try a 1-step punch shot.
September 8, 2002: Chiefs at Browns
The Chiefs try a last-play Hail Mary pass from mid-field. Dwayne Rudd, thinking he has a sack, chucks his helmet off in joy. Unfortunately, the ball was still alive at the time. Rudd earns a 15-yard unsportsman-like conduct penalty, and the Chiefs kick a field goal with the extra play to win 40-39. Watch the footage of this trainwreck.
THE WINNER FOR THE CRAZIEST PAINFUL FIELD GOAL IS…
September 29, 2002: Browns at Steelers
Butch Davis’ 2-1 squad and their hated rivals have an even slugfest through 4 quarters. Halfway into overtime, the Steelers drive to the Browns’ 7-yard line to set-up a 24-yard field goal attempt. Alvin McKinney breaks through to block the kick and keep the good guys alive.
But…………………
Wait for this one.
Not a penalty this time.
The Steelers tried their kick on 2nd down. Since the Browns blocked it, and the Steelers recovered the ball, which never crossed the line of scrimmage, they got to keep the ball for 3rd down.
WHAT?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!
Of course, they lined up again, making 31-yarder to win the game.
ONLY IN CLEVELAND!
Actually, we have been on the sunny side of some of these quirky kicks.
NOMINEES FOR THE CRAZIEST JOYFUL FIELD GOALS:
November 14, 1999: Browns at Steelers
With the clock running and no time outs, Dawson and the FG team run out and get off a 39-yard kick just before the clock hits 0:00 to grab win 16-15 in dreaded Three Rivers Stadium. A great win in a miserable expansion year.
December 16, 2007: Bills at Browns
Browns win 8-0 and Phil Dawson makes field goals from 35 and 49 yards…
IN A BLIZZARD.
Through heavy winds and snow, he hooked in one kick and sliced in the other. Kinda reminiscent of some of my tee shots. Check out this video clip to see Phil’s best works of art.
October 1, 1989: Broncos at Browns
Matt Bahr’s 48-yard field goal just clears the crossbar as time expires, and the Browns end a 10-game losing streak to the hated Broncos. The crazy factor that earns this nomination is that in the fourth quarter, the referees kept switching the direction of both teams’ offenses towards the closed end of the stadium. This was to avoid the fans in the Dawg Pound that were pelting Denver with dog bisquits, eggs, and other stuff. The switch gave the Bahr the wind for the final kick. Forward to the end of this video clip to see the results.
Man, I miss the good old days when the Browns were a great football team.
THE WINNER FOR THE CRAZIEST JOYFUL FIELD GOAL IS…
November 18, 2007: Browns at Ravens
Phil Dawson lines up for a 51-yard kick at the end of regulation to force overtime. The ball hits the left upright, then hits the crossbar, and then bouces back into the endzone.
NO GOOD.
Only in Cleveland.
As the teams start heading back to the locker rooms, the referees huddle up to discuss the kick. After a lengthy discussion, the correctly rule that the ball did not hit the crossbar, but the support bar behind the crossbar, a.k.a. ‘stanchion’.
IT’S GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
The Browns elatedly re-emerge from their locker rooms and handle the deflated Ravens in OT, with Dawson hitting a 33-yard game winner. Enjoy this beautiful video!
Time for…
The LITTLE MAC HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALLL TOP 10 RANKINGS
(how Tuscarawas/Stark/Carroll/Coshocton County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size, as well as their play-off run potential)
#10 Malvern (4-2, division 7): Hornets, who went 1-9 last year, win their 4th straight, coming back from 13 points down at Tusky Central Catholic.
#9 Canton Central Catholic (4-2, division 5): win 22-7 over Northwest.
#8 New Philadelphia (4-2, division 3): 55-0 stomping of Claymont sets up a huge E.C.O.L. showdown when undefeated Zanesville comes to town.
#7: Canton McKinley (5-1, division 1): holds off Jackson with a goalline stand at the end. Big Federal League game with GlenOak Saturday night.
#6 GlenOak (4-2, division 1): Tough 35-20 loss to parochial power, Akron St. Vincent St. Mary.
#5 Sandy Valley (5-1, division 5): 35-7 winners at East Canton.
#4 Ridgewood (5-1, division 5): Guts out an old-school 7-0 win at Garaway.
#3 Louisville (5-1, division 3): Leopards bury league contender, Marlington, 44-7. Now travel to NBC co-leader, West Branch.
#2 Indian Valley (5-1, division 4): Have outscored opponents 127-29 in the last 3 weeks.
#1 Perry (5-1, division 2): Panthers roll Green, 56-14. Travel to 4-2 Lake.
E-mail the author: macaljancic@yahoo.com