The Akron Symphony followed up on Carey’s comments.
“When Drew Carey made those comments, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity,” said Heather Roszczyk, director of marketing and public relations for the Akron Symphony Orchestra.
The symphony gave away free tickets to Friday’s concert at E.J. Thomas Hall in exchange for a Browns ticket stub.
I know everyone likes to ask the question “is this rock bottom?” during a Browns season. Getting embarrassed by Pittsburgh- “is this rock bottom?” Losing on a last second kick-six to Baltimore- “is this rock bottom?” Getting blown the fuck out 37-3 at home to the Bengals- “is this rock bottom?”
The answer to all of the above is NO.
People trading in the Browns tickets to see an orchestra pluck some strings, blow some horns, and bang on some drums is rock bottom. Trading in the chance to see a football game to see an orchestra is rock bottom. No offense to all of our readers that may be musically inclined, but the fact that people are willingly trading in NFL football tickets to see a couple of Christmas carols performed by instruments is insane. That’s where we are. That’s how bad it’s gotten.
80 minutes into the life of a Browns fan in 2004. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The film starts at the 2004 NFL draft with fans clamoring for the Browns to draft Robert Gallery, to the first game where we beat the Ravens, and then weaves its way through the season until the last game of the year.
My personal favorite part was watching those guys getting ready to tailgate the first game of the year. Nothing better than the first home game when there’s still hope and you’re headed to the Muni Lot early in the morning. Your heart is full of excitement while you pour that 30 pack of Natty into your cooler at 6 am when the sun is barely out.
Obviously if you’re reading this at work you’re not going to block off 80 minutes of your workday to watch this. My suggestion is when you get home to grab a few Christmas Ales, maybe make some pizza rolls, light a candle or 2, and block off 80 minutes of your day to hop in a time machine to 2004 and revisit the Cleveland Browns season. That’s exactly what I did last night and it was great.
As some of you may know I’ve been in contact with one of the creators of this video, Jeff Haynes. He sent a DVD over my way once he saw that I’d posted about his film a few weeks ago. This is the main 80 minute version. I haven’t even sat down to watch the second disc which contains the deleted scenes, extra interviews, and road trip footage but I’m sure it’s great.
One day it’ll get turned around, I think… but seeing these people 11 years ago saying the exact same things we’re saying today makes me a little worried that the Browns may never get it right.
(no affiliation and not a ripoff of anything SI does every Monday, I swear)
So instead of actually recapping the game yesterday we’re going to put together a disappointment blog. Not much to work with when your only highlights are a Gary Barnidge 24 yard catch and an Isaiah Crowell 23 yard run. There’s nothing worth reliving that happened in the actual game but there were so many things that happened in Cleveland off of it.
Lets go:
This was The Pit around 3 hours before kickoff. Couple empty spots there.
via @bootsycollins6
We had hooligans running around on the field before the game even started. Unfortunately, this was the most rushing Cleveland would see all day
So it's 3 hours before kickoff and fans are already running on the field in Cleveland… pic.twitter.com/l81OY0F86l
I think we can all agree you’re a Grade A loser if you pay for Tinder. Nevermind his coaching record, paying for Tinder is a fireable offense by itself.
via @cazremmos
Love this guy
via @fritz_dacatvia @fritz_dacat
This dude had an entire row to himself if he wanted it
Some advice to all Browns fans out there: NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER in your life buy season tickets. Worst investment ever. Buy them for a little above face value on Stubhub for the first 4 home games when there’s still hope. When November and December roll around you’ll be able to buy them for $7.00.
via @bobferrato
Johnny and Jordan Poyer’s girlfriends were interested in the game. Don’t blame them one bit, sometimes you have to create your own fun.
This pic really hit home for me. Damn I feel bad for this guy. As a 27 year old I’ve never seen a winning football team so I don’t know what it feels like. I’m able to laugh off losses. These are the people I feel sorry for though- the 40 and overs who have actually seen this team win and know what the playoffs feel like.
Bottlegate 