Browns Fans Can See Clearly Now …… The Rain is Gone

Photo by Al Kornspan

“I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way……” 

“It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day.”

So said legendary musician Jimmy Cliff.

And as Browns fans it is always time for optimism, especially at the start of the football season.

Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s here in Northeast Ohio, I definitely still relate to the feeling that Cleveland is a Browns Town. Of course, that is, and probably has never been accurate. 

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio is definitely a Sports Town as many of the Midwest cities are in the United States.  

And on Friday night in Northeast Ohio, sports fans welcomed in the start of the professional football pre-season in Downtown Cleveland.

Except there was just one problem.  

The Browns game was delayed by torrential rain and thunderstorms causing the game to start late.

After the rains cleared, the Browns game got underway.

And as Jimmy Cliff eloquently stated, “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.”

But what did we see clearly from Friday night’s game against the Washington Commanders?

 

Probably not much from a performance perspective as Browns fans.

Sure, the Browns coaches will use the film to teach, evaluate and help their players improve technically and strategically so that they can perform more optimally.

But I think what is important for sports fans in Northeast Ohio, in my opinion, is the hope that a new season brings.

It gives us something to talk about. 

It gives us something to bring our community together in a positive way.  

Ultimately, hopefully, it entertains us for a short time on Sunday afternoon (or Sunday night, or Sunday morning if played overseas, or Monday night, or Thursday Night or Saturdays in December).

So what did we see clearly on Friday night?

Hope!  

And who couldn’t use a little more hope in our first NFL football season since the pandemic officially ended on May 11, 2023?