My son, Alex, is destined for a life of disappointment. At the age of six, he made a critical decision that will haunt him for the rest of his days here on earth. He joined a pack of sad souls whose suffering knows no end.
He became a Cleveland Browns fan.
I’m really not sure how it happened. My wife and I are both Bengals fans, though neither of us is fanatical about football. To put it into perspective, the Bengals are 9-2 (best record in franchise history), and I’ve watched maybe three games this season.
Even though we are not body-painting, short-bus-owning football crazy, Alex is. He is a Browns fan through thick and thin – well let’s face it, mostly thin. With a 2-9 record, this team has created little reason for excitement.
Alex has shed many tears as a result of the Browns’ bungling. The Browns’ home field, FirstEnergy Stadium, has been dubbed “The Factory of Sadness” for good reason. Once a week, its residents crush the spirit of my little boy.
However, one thing the Browns have done well is provide opportunity for me to step in with fatherly advice. We have had many talks and life lessons for which I can thank the Browns.
Almost weekly, we have a discussion where I attempt to put football into perspective. I share with him that it’s just a game, and in the grand scheme of life, football isn’t that important. Our lives will go on regardless of which team wins.
Alex has had to learn to cope with disappointment and to temper his expectations. These are actually valuable lessons for a boy his age to learn, because most of us will probably encounter seasons in life that looks like a Browns season.
Loss is inevitable. Disappointment is destined to occur. Some of us don’t learn that until we’re adults. So thank you Browns for that life lesson.
Because of Johnny Manziel, I’ve had conversations about alcohol with Alex. We discussed how dumb it can make people act, how it leads people to make really bad decisions and how it can destroy lives. Thank you Browns.
Because of Josh Gordon, I’ve had conversations about marijuana and other drugs with Alex. That’s a hard thing for a seven-year-old to wrap his head around. But now Alex hates drugs. He associates them with stupidity and the loss of the Browns “best player.” So thank you Browns.
We also do a lot of bonding over the Browns that isn’t so heavy. I follow the team pretty closely, even closer than I follow the Bengals, for the sole reason of starting conversations with my son. If I ever want to get him talking, football is a great jumping off point.
I’ve watched more Browns games this year than Bengals, only because it means time spent with Alex. And I secretly root for them on occasion because I want to see him happy.
Alex has suffered through this season like most Browns fans. He’s cried. He’s yelled. He’s called Mike Pettine an idiot. But I’ve been by his side through it all. When he cries, I comfort. When he yells, I bring perspective. I tell him ‘mentally-challenged’ is a nicer word than ‘idiot.’ Thank you Browns for a season of bonding with my son!
