Date and Location: October 19 2025, Huntington Bank Stadium, Cleveland, OH.

Reflections: “How does an English woman who attended university in Arkansas become a Cleveland Browns fan?”
It’s a good question. It’s got a somewhat unexpected answer.

When I’m interested in something, a submersible couldn’t deep-dive further into the lore surrounding it. It ends up wrecking my YouTube algorithm, which helpfully provides me videos of ever more obscure lore until I’m actively irritating friends discussing it. In the aftermath of my first Superbowl (2025’s Chiefs vs Eagles shutout) and aided by YouTubers such as Tubfrog, UrinatingTree, and the legendary DepressedCowboysFan, I spiraled wildly into the unmitigated carnage which is the AFC North.

As an English graduate who did Classical Studies at A-Level, I was fascinated by the truly tragic irony of then-head coach Hue Jackson proclaiming “we’re not going 1-15 next year” before ending up 16-0. I was similarly intrigued by the murky, intertwined tangle of the Browns, Bengals, and Ravens, the latter of whom fans still swear stole the Cleveland Browns’ Superbowl in 2001. Even in the fantastical landscape of “Space Browns” – an escapist hymn in which their intergalactic counterparts go to the Superbowl penned after a disappointing 5-11 season in 2005 – an unnamed space team still manages to win against them.

I was fascinated by them. Morbidly so. I made my decision to become a Cleveland Browns fan in early 2025, and two jerseys later, I stand by it.

Rather than risk flying to the Upper Midwest in the depths of winter for the December Buffalo Bills game, I instead chose to double the cost of my stay by flying up for the late-October game against the Miami Dolphins. Did you know that Cleveland, Ohio is the 6th most expensive city for hotels in the United States? I found that factoid out after booking a non-refundable flight and a $55 ticket for the nosebleed seats of the stadium, and proceeded to get screwed over by AirBNB a week before my stay. No matter. I made it to Cleveland, and proceeded to fully immerse myself in my new team’s hometown, taking a wonderful Cleveland Browns cruise with fellow fans and attending the Cleveland Monsters Ice Hockey team’s opening game.

Bar Philadelphia, I’ve never seen a city so proudly sport the merch of its team. I tried orange wine on the cruise and circled the stadium, fascinated that none of the at-the-time six quarterbacks were featured on the stadium’s branding. After attending the infamous tailgates at the Muni lot before the match itself, I completely understood the fanatical dedication. Notable sights included: a converted schoolbus with a dog on the front containing a TV and a shot dispenser (new shots were handed out every time someone new got on the bus); twin pitchers of “Degenerates Juice” and “Only Fins” cocktails (the theme of the cocktails changed based on the opposing team, but the lewd Steelers sticker remained the same); and a man handing out light-up chains with the Cleveland Browns logo on it. The fans themselves were the most delightful, warm-hearted, and welcoming fanbase I’ve met in any sport, in spite of their utter confusion about a Brit from Arkansas attending a match at Huntington Bank.

Fearing 50-mile-per-hour winds in an open-roofed stadium, I booked a last minute ticket for around $50 and found myself six rows from the goal line. I saw Dillon Gabriel win his first match. I watched Quinshon Judkins score three rushing touchdowns. I scavenged far too many cups afterwards, including the Myles Garrett Cup of Focus and Hydration which has stared at me until I’ve done tasks since.

Having gotten to know my fellow fans, I’m now entirely certain I made the right choice. I can’t wait to reunite with the rest of the Browns Backers for the New York Jets game next year, wherein either myself or my Jets fan best friend will go home mortified at our team’s loss.

Final Score: 30-6. To the Cleveland Browns. If I hadn’t been there, I’d have called myself a liar.

Best Food or Drink: I can’t claim that “Only Fins” was a personal favourite, but it had by far the best name.