DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Personal Experiences With Browns Players

I got to talking last night with a few friends about different interactions we’ve had with pro athletes. So I thought I’d start a thread. What are you guys’ personal experiences with past/present Browns players, coaches, etc?

I only have a few:

- Used to play pickup bball at Baldwin Wallace in my middle school days visiting a friend. Jamel White was there training and shot around with us. Super nice dude. He would see us there all the time and play. One training camp he even invited us inside to meet, get autographs, etc. He was also a decent little player for us. IIRC he had a run of about 2 years with good production. Kind of ahead of his time as a RB/WR combo

- We had a guy named Kwame Cavil who was a WR from Texas. We had a mutual friend. He was on the roster during TC one year ... I was in like 10th grade maybe. He took me out to lunch one summer with Quincy Morgan. He was a riot. They bought my meal and then we played XBox. That was pretty sweet.

- Met Kevin Mack at a Steak n Shake one summer afternoon ... really random as he was just with family or friends or something. He signed my Browns hat for me. I was kind of shocked with how ripped he was lol.

- I got to talk with Joe Thomas for about 1 minute at a card show maybe 5 years ago. He signed a card for me ... I wish I coulda interacted longer, seemed like a really cool guy obviously

- At TC one season (maybe around 2001) my dad was BS’ing with an older fan about the heat and how much it had to suck to be a player ... turns out the guy was Shaun O’Hara’s father. After practice he called his son over to get a picture with us. He was extremely friendly ... and sweaty. I remember they had a huge buffet for the players in one of the tents and his plate was bending haha.

I’m sure I’ll think of a few more ...

I met Joe Thomas in Arizona in 2007 (his rookie year). He was very nice. Brady Quinn was there to and refused to speak to anyone.

I partied with Hanford Dixon.

When I was around 7 years old, my older brother and I were waiting outside Municipal Stadium for my Dad to come out (he was a Cleveland Policeman, working the game). My brother went off to get Lou Groza's autograph where he was signing for a bunch of kids, but I spotted Jim Brown walking towards his car. I ran over to him and said "Mr Brown will you sign my program?". I remember him looking kind of annoyed and he said "Not today, kid.", and walked off to his car. I remember being upset, but then thinking he was probably mad because we lost that day. Anyway, I got his autograph about a year later, and still have it somewhere.

I only have experiences with MLS players.

In one of the field level clubs they walk through there to go from the locker room to the field and back. They stop for high fives, selfies, and autographs with fans. They do it every home game. I high fived with one of former starters and touched our Goalie's hand when he ran by giving everyone high fives.

Anyways, I thought it was nice that the players interact with the fans at the games. Don't usually see that in other sports.

1984 Met Tom Cousinou and Brian Brennan at Buffalo Scrimmage

1986 Met Bernie Michael Dean Perry Ozzie Newsome at Camp

1989 Met Hanford Dixon and Frank Minniefield in the Dawgpound

1991 Met Wbster Slaughter face to face in the Dawg Pound (He was with Houston)

1994 Met Leroy Hoard in the Dawgpound and Vinnie Testiverdie in parking lot when players parked outside stadium

2010 Met Joe Thomas in the Dawgpound

There were a few more but those are the ones I remember the most

On Dec. 14th 1985 my wife and I were married. We went to dinner at The Top of The Town restaurant in downtown Cleve. When leaving, we rode the elevator down with Ozzie Newsome and his wife. Just the 4 of us. Some small chat.

In, I wanna say 1985, raced Webster Slaughter on 271s between Wilson Mills and Mayfield Rd. He in his new Datsun 280ZX and I in my vette. I know it was him as his were plates read "WEBSTAR".

When my wife worked(waitress then GM) at TGIFridays in Mayfield she bought/comp'd Hanford Dixon, Frank Minnifield and Johnny Davis's(the B1-Bomber) apps and meals. Spoke with them....not more than a minute or so.

In 1993/94/95? C Steve Everitt and G Gene William's got to know the owner of the "GOOD OLE DAZE"(bar on State Rd just west of Rockside) quite well. They frequented there quite often as did I at the time. At times they'd both jump behind the bar and bartend and BS with us. 2 great guys. Once asked both of em point blank, "who's the badest, toughest D-Lineman each ever faced. Both, without hesitation, Howie Long!!!

BS'd with Joe Jurevicious quite a bit as he frequented my place of employment. Plus, went to same HS, totally diff years.

Non-Browns.....

In the 60's my parents were good friends with the Balt Colts TE John Mackey and his wife.

Franco Harris. He rolled out a new product that the business I was in decided to carry. Came to speak about the product to our company. Good guy, cept when he was carrying the ball for "that team just a bit southeast".

Non Football

My wife and I, on our way back from Binions casino in downtown vegas were behind a couple of limos that came to a stop in front of the courthouse. Doors flung open and out pops Don King and his entourage and were "goin to court".

Tired, whooped, and kicking back with a couple drinks and playing Keno latelate at night in the Circus Circus, out of the corner of my eye I caught someone walking toward my wife and I. Came right up to us, BS'd for a couple mins. Good guy. Funny. Redd Foxx.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Back in 1959?/60? my parents went to lunch? dinner? at Hellreigels on Mentor ave. I was 2? 3? years old at the time. JFK came to our table, said the "hello's", patted me on the head, etc.

Think that's it.

I was at BW when Jamel was training... we'd run with him a few times...

Not a Browns player but used to run into a texans player at BW3 a few years back.... he live during in the area and would come up occasionally get drunk and buy everyone shots

Ran into several players at work (kids hospital)... not just texans but college players, NBA, MLB...

And of course working part time for texans I've ran into and met several current and former players...

I went to training camp this year and met Myles, Baker, Christian and Freddie. Myles was super personable as was Kirksey. Baker was a robot just signing things that were being handed to him and Freddie was cracking jokes, shaking hands etc.

I went to the Browns training camp at Kent State in 1980. The players were much more accessible then. We got to shoot the breeze with Sam Rutigliano and Brian Sipe. Just superficial stuff, but it was pretty cool.

Had an Aunt and Mom that worked in restaurants, from Avon Oaks CC, Millers, Iron Gate, Damons, and many others.

Don't recall which one it was, Think Millers, I was 9 or 10, but Lyle Alzado came in, and I happen to come with mom to work, as kids we would capture the milk snakes in the cellar.

Anyway, as I was walking up the bar to get a soda, err pop for you northerners, Lyle came in for a moment, and he said hi to me. He sat on the barstool for a minute and just chatted with me, asked who I was, why I was there, if I watched football, etc.

Of course I was awestruck. We chatted what seemed like hours to me, but was really only 3-5 minutes.

So of course when Lyle left for Oakland, they became my second team and I have always followed them since.

Personal experiences with Browns players? Very little.

Years and years ago, leaving a game, stuck in traffic, who pulls up beside us? Michael Dean Perry. I put the window down and side 'hi Michael', he put his window down and said "hi".

Some years after Bernie was out of the league, we were leaving the game. Whatever the road is between the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the stadium, I said "That's Bernie standing there!" (he was on the side walk). Wife looked and said "Yeah, look who's getting her picture taken with him." (Honest to God, it was my ex wife)

Other than that, really only have 'seen' players entering the team hotel on Sat. night/evening. I'm not much of an autograph guy, but I DO have pics of my wife with Jabal Sheard, Colt McCoy, Joe Haden, a couple of others. All were kind enough to pose, shake hands and chat for perhaps a minute or 2.

Edited: Josh Cribbs, also.

And pretty much every player I've seen, the few I've spoken with and shook hands with.....they just aren't that "big" in real life, standing next to them. I'm not at all saying they aren't the measurements (height, weight) listed, but, seeing them in person, with no pads.....I've just been surprised. I know they are muscled up, low body fat for most, etc.

Anyway, Josh had the softest hands. Not in hand shake soft. Just, his hand was soft.

Pretty cool .. I’ve heard Colt McCoy is a really good guy. My cousin was his roommate at Texas for a year. Says he was awesome

No wonder Shaun Smith punched him in the face.

Way to many to list and I don't have the time to write out a Moby Dick type novel listing them.

GM practically lived with the team, season after season, and head coach after head coach.

Lol through all 129 head coaches

Well GM was there when the team was founded.

-Back in '97 or '98 I used to attend Youngstown St and I worked at the BW3's in Boardman. I was on my way in to work one night and heard ont he radio that Marion Motley and Hanford Dixon were going to be there for an event. I worked in the kitchen so I didn't get to go out front, but Hanford walked back and said "Hey Dawg! Whatcha cookin? Wings?" and then he cooked with me for about 5 minutes!

-I was in Vegas on a Monday night at a dance club and was talking to an attractive young lady about her back tattoo of 4 Van Gogh paintings. I offered to buy her a drink but she declined saying she and her friends were hanging out with an NFL player. She invited me over to say hi. Turns out it was Tedy Bruschi. He just grunted at me. I was already a few beers in and looking for another one as I tried to formulate a plan to male chicken block a dude 100lbs of muscle bigger than me. (Un)fortunately my buddy recognized what I was thinking and pointed me in a different direction.

Lol sweet stories

I've met several players at training camp and in 2000. It was a Dawgtalk Day at camp. I had bought a Browns book bag for my grandson who was just starting school. They were all very willing to sign it for him.

In 2001 I went to Nashville for a game and the guy I went with just happened to know where the team would be coming out to the bus. We talked to many players who all seemed friendly and happy to see us there to support them. I didn't ask them for autographs or anything. Just there to support my team.

1988ish
Met WR Glen Young RB Tony Baker at a charity basketball game in Ravenna

2004ish Gary Baxter in Streetsboro at a cell store. I joked how the week before Chad Johnson
Worked him. You better check your knees
Soon after he blew them both out

2010..TJ Ward Solon Panini's
2012. Joe Haden Garfield Heights Granger RD

2014. Sat beside Reggie Langhorne at Gladiators Game
Met Bernie Kosar at same game
Brian Brennan talked to my 7th grade football team i was coaching before a game

Met Cleo Miller at Browns game ...super nice guy

Went to high school with Bob Babich and Larry Carwell of NE Pats. While in grade school got to mingle with high players ie Andy Cverko who played guard doing '62 season. After graduating got to be friendly with Walt Vrable drafted by Eagles then had ankle injury during mid preseason game ending career. Also in high school friendly with Ed Norfleet played for Harlem Globetrotters. Got to meet Jim Brown at a farther/son church steak dinner autograph signing 1963 he autoed all my media guides and his football cards in addition to the 8 x 10 he was signing and spoke with me for 4 to 5 minutes. 1962 got to speak with and have then brand new glove autographed by Bob Feller. Became friends with Ricky Featcher when he owned rib shop on Miles Rd. got to see him at local Backer autograph sessions spend time reminiscing. On music scene got to meet talk with Pet Clark back stage and got autograph,had backstage pass for J. Geils,Whitesnake,Z Z Topp concert,helped Topp.s road crew after show. Got to meet with Pink Floyd and road crew after our band finished our gig then went downstairs to restaurant to eat and they stopped to eat. Got go on their tour bus take pix,drummer kept pix, also. Became friends with David Jones who played WR and KO return '70-'71 while his son played on opposing little and pony league teams.

A lot of athletes live and/or retire in Vegas. Lot of tax perks. I'm not big on going up to guys but it's not uncommon to see Mike Tyson, Frank Thomas, Jonathen Ogden, Jerome Williams, and others just out and about. A couple of those guys live within a 3 mile radius of me. I think Tyson might've moved to Cali though for his pot business. Mayweather is always at this casino about 5 miles from where I live.

What's really cool though is if you're a basketball fan there's a gym that holds pretty intense pickup games on Saturday morning. A lot of ex pro and ex college guys. If you can play you can get in, but you pretty much get one shot to prove yourself and if not, you're done. LOL

I have an interesting story.

2002, Falcons game. I barely knew who Paul Zukauskus was, and when I ran into him after the game, I introduced myself and said ‘I’m from Nova Scotia, Canada’ - because most Americans don’t know what a Nova Scotia is lol.

Anyway, his eyes widened and he says ‘you’re from Nova Scotia? My mom’s from there!’

She had moved to Boston when she was young, and he went to Boston college. She died from brain cancer a year or so later, Paul went to SF but he had back injuries and was soon done.

Paul Z! That was a massive dude ... and not a bad player for us. Lol cool story

I have been reluctant to reply to this thread for privacy reasons. I will say this. I do not know any current Brown's employees.

I did know some folks in the past and I would share information on the boards. GM can probably confirm that. BTW......no one has known more Brown's folks than GM.

I was a coach and scout. Coached in the Big 33 game and made a lot of contacts. I coached a future Brown and scouted a ton more and even scouted a son of a former Brown's coach.

We developed relationships. Some were brief. Some were alright. A few developed into friendships.

I also used to party w/a wife of a former Brown. She even invited me up to her box and gave me a ton of great info.

This was back in the days of Timid, Kelly, K2, Leon, etc. Btw............Leon was my nickname for Braylon Edwards. The craziest stories I heard were always about him. Complete jerk! Dude yelling at his positional coach "we're you drafted in the first round?" when the the coach was trying to help him w/routes.

One of the greatest guys ever was a huge OT who was underrated. There is a pic of him holding the hand of a tiny child while he was in uniform that adequately describes what a great guy he was. Some will remember. Some will not. Just don't tell.

Thanks for sharing ... I can definitely see Braylon Edwards being like that. Total diva.

I’m sure you have some neat insights ... FWIW, I kinda look back on those years with Couch, KJ, Northcutt, McCutcheon, Brown, etc with some fond memories. Sure, we weren’t very good but I was impressionable and I enjoyed seeing the Browns again

Those early return years we still had a lot of hope and patience knowing it takes time to rebuild.
Now that we have rebuilt like 10x, we have less hope and less patience.

But, we are still here.

Met Lyle Alzado at a Donut Shop (Amy Joy) down by Berea.. Huge man,,, took up two seats at the counter... Nice guy

Yeah, there was a lot of hope and patience back then ... loved watching those teams

Yes Sir I can confirm it