The Browns are boasting something that not too many professional teams can.
A mobile cheering section called the Sportstime Ohio Fan Express.
The luxury charter bus decked out in orange and seal brown, along with murals of Browns fans decked out in all their regalia, took to the highways all the way to Baltimore for the Browns/Ravens game on Sept. 15.
The Fan Express drew plenty of attention on the turnpike going through Pennsylvania with honks from passing cars. Some with thumbs up and some with other signals--not all positive. When the bus was dropping off fans at M & T Bank Stadium prior to the game, the Ravens tail gaiters booed loudly. When the Fan Express passed Pickles Bar and Pub where a group of transplanted Browns fans were hanging out, the crowd went wild.
Two of the passengers on the first trip of the Fan Express were Ron and Candy from Chesterland. They have been Browns season ticket holders for 42 years. They even bought season tickets in Baltimore when the team moved and kept them since the team returned in 1999 and come to the Browns game every year, holding season tickets in Cleveland and in Baltimore.
"We came here every year when the Browns left," Candy said.
Ron said he fell in love with the Browns as a young man.
"The Browns have been my team since my days in the Marine corps."
Another passenger, John from Lake Milton, is a converted Steelers fan.
"I grew up a Steelers fan until Bernie Kosar came to the Browns because he was from where I'm from."
After leaving Saturday morning from FirstEnergy Stadium, the bus traveled through the heart of Pennsylvania.
The Fan Express's bus driver, Eric Turner--appropriately named, then got into the spirit. He's from Strongsville and has followed the Browns his whole life.
"This is your captain speaking from the flight deck," Turner announced over the bus PA system. "Although we're not expecting turbulence, we will be experiencing a stench for the next 30 or so minutes as we go through the Pittsburgh area, but it won't be permanent."
Once the Fan Express arrived in Baltimore, the first stop was at Glory Days Bar & Grill, where a contingent of Browns Backers from Baltimore hosted a bash. Browns Backers from Anapolis and even some from Columbus, Ohio traveled to the event.
Mike Turner, vice-president of the Baltimore Browns Backers hosted the event. Ironically, Mike is the cousin of bus driver Eric, and the two didn't know they would be running into one another in Baltimore. Mike said there are issues being a Browns fan in Baltimore.
"We call it behind enemy lines."
Jim from Baltimore, originally from Garrettstown said he's "always been a Browns fan, even though it's difficult rooting for the Browns sometimes, living in Baltimore."
Former Browns great, Hanford Dixon was a guest of the Baltimore Browns Backers, signing autographs and leading the group in a rousing chorus of "Here we go Brownies, Here we go, Woof! Woof!"
"I love the Browns Backers," Dixon told the group. "We're going to need every one of you cheering at the (Ravens) game (Sunday)."
Dixon was a teammate and great friend of Ravens' GM and Browns Hall of Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome.
"I love Ozzie," he said. "I'm staying at his house, but we have to beat the Ravens."
Unfortunately, the Browns didn't as they dropped a 14-6 decision.
The trip was hosted by the Browns Backers Worldwide and Leah Kraus and Corey Kinder made the trip.
Leah is coordinator of special events and is in her third year with the Browns. "It was an unique experience for me traveling with the fan bus," she said. "I enjoyed interacting with the fans."
Corey is in his first official year as coordinator for the Browns Backers after being an intern for two years while finishing his degree at Baldwin-Wallace. He works with Michele DeScioli, who is the Manager of the Browns Backers
"I love it," Corey said.
The Browns Fan Express is scheduled to travel to upcoming games in Green Bay (Oct.20), Kansas City (Oct. 27) and Cincinnati (Nov. 17).
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