The Cleveland Browns’ run for the AFC division title came to an end Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Browns 22-17. But sports figures around Ohio and beyond are buzzing about the team’s efforts, which brought an 11-5 regular season — quite a turn from the losing seasons the Browns had posted for years.
ESPN put the Browns’ eye-opening 2020-2021 season into perspective:
What a season for the Browns 👏
🏈 First winning season since 2007 (was longest drought in NFL)
🏈 First playoff berth since 2002 (was longest drought in NFL)
🏈 First playoff win since 1994 (def. Steelers in Wild Card Round, 48-37)
🏈 12 wins – most since 1994 pic.twitter.com/LPFnjnYTsR
— ESPN (@espn) January 17, 2021
Football fans across Ohio watched the Browns take on the Chiefs, including Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon, who provided running Twitter commentary and clearly enjoyed the AFC showdown:
This years playoff games been as advertised🔥
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) January 17, 2021
Naturally, neighboring teams in Cleveland followed along:
Heck of a run, fellas.
The future is bright, @Browns!— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 17, 2021
Great season, neighbors. Future is bright!
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) January 17, 2021
Cleveland players appeared to feel the love. Strong safety Ronnie Harrison, who was traded to the team in September, remarked on his first season with the Browns:
For The City, Nothing But Love 4L💯‼️💙 #33Out #ThankYouGod #Browns pic.twitter.com/1n2KQCOcIZ
— Ronnie Harrison II (@Rharr_15) January 18, 2021
And cornerback M.J. Stewart used the loss to look ahead to next season:
Man… Good Season But Wasn’t Good Enough On My Part. I Promise I’m Coming Wayyyyy Harder Next Year!!! #DawgCheck
— Mj Stewart (@Checkout_Marv) January 18, 2021
Learn more about the AFC division games from the Associated Press.
This article appears in Jan 1-31, 2021.