@the-gipper said:

My father-in-law used to buy his cars from the Don Hutson Auto Dealership (I think Caddys) in Racine Wisc. where he retired to.

A number of even more current football players went into auto dealerships. Ozzie Newsome had one in Cleveland before he gave it up and went to work for the Ravens. (not sure what it is now)

Mike Pruitt also had a dealership in Akron. But it was sold. Mike Pruitt Honda is now Great Lakes Honda.

A lot of old timers became beer and spirits distributers too. Easy transition there.

@mjp28 said:

My father-in-law used to buy his cars from the Don Hutson Auto Dealership (I think Caddys) in Racine Wisc. where he retired to.

A number of even more current football players went into auto dealerships. Ozzie Newsome had one in Cleveland before he gave it up and went to work for the Ravens. (not sure what it is now)

Mike Pruitt also had a dealership in Akron. But it was sold. Mike Pruitt Honda is now Great Lakes Honda.

http://www.glakeshonda.com/blog/2015/september/1/if-you-loved-mike-pruitt-honda-you-will-love-the-new-great-lakes-honda-even-more.htm

A lot of former athletes, as I noted went on to own dealerships:

http://www.mojomotors.com/blog/dealerships-owned-by-athletes/

From an early age Hutson was interested in business. "At the university [of Alabama], I was the only athlete in the business school," he said. "The only reason I wanted to play pro sports was to get a stake."^[4] While both were students at Alabama, he partnered with Bear Bryant to operate a laundromat in Tuscaloosa called Captain Kidd Cleaners. However, neither were educated in laundering, and they sold the business after two years.^[42] While in Green Bay, Hutson opened the Packer Playdium bowling alley,^[43] which proved so successful that he twice considered retirement from football to fully dedicate his time to its operation.^[33] He then started the Hutson Motor Car Co. dealership and in 1951 purchased Chevrolet and Cadillac agencies in Racine, Wisconsin.^[44] "I never aimed for automobiles," said Hutson. "That just happened to be the thing I got into. I just wanted to run a business, any business.^[4]

After he retired from the dealership business, Hutson settled in Rancho Mirage, California, where he lived until his death on June 26, 1997, at the age of 84.^[45]

@stillmotion said:

Always liked Hoyer. Too bad He self-destructed bc of manziel.

Manziel was the mistake, not Hoyer.

He was a 3rd string guy floating around it it turns out hes a solid #2, spot starter.

You go 10-6 with those Cleveland teams ... You belong in the league.

Z

@jbluhm86 said:

Did Manziel cause him to self destruct in Houston too?

@jbluhm86 said:

He's better than black tarkenton.....

@stillmotion said:

Always liked Hoyer. Too bad He self-destructed bc of manziel.

Did Manziel cause him to self destruct in Houston too?

As far as the fans leaving, it's sad, but typical, to see because the Browns are FINALLY doing some some right. I expect them to be 6-10 or 7-9 next year and make the playoffs in 2018.

@mudfly said:

That has to come through success from the team....it wasnt long ago that the Cleveland Browns fans were considered the best...the loudest....the proudest....and the most fanatical of all fans......not long ago at all....

And now, those same fans that have backed the team(no questions asked) for decade after decade after decade, are falling by the way side.....why, you ask?.....because the team has not lived up to their side of the bargain and they have delivered crap for 2 straight DECADES.....so, how long does one love another(blindly), while continuously getting kicked in the balls?

Every year....every single year.....we look forward, hope, pray, etc.....and then get our hearts ripped out.....and people say "be patient"....they'll get better....rooks will step up....wait for them to gel.....so and so is gonna be a star....THIS is the week.....blah blah blah....and, then, like clock work, they self destruct, fall apart and deliver crap on a plate......

Personally.....I dont spend much time "looking back"....I know water under the bridge is gone.....but I NOW need something more than words to convince me the team is on the right track....tangible evidence....proof.....cause Im tired of giving them my all(40+ years now) and then getting disappointed, depressed and embarrassed on a weekly basis.....footballs supposed to be fun, so its not an equitable arrangement

So now....nationally....NO ONE considers the Browns fans to be the most fervent or "best"....and, that my friend, is not the fans fault.

@mjp28 said:

Understatement of the year nominee...

@mudfly said:

That has to come through success from the team....it wasnt long......

....So now....nationally....NO ONE considers the Browns fans to be the most fervent or "best"....and, that my friend, is not the fans fault.

Now after a multitude of coaches, bad draft decisions and a laughing stock of revolving door QBs and here we are in 2016.

Do we still have good loyal fans of course we do is this reversible of course it is but the BROWNS powers in charge better come up with some some magic to get this franchise over the .500 mark.....remember the 1960 - 1980s Indians? Yes it can be done.

GO BROWNS & INDIANS, beating two Boston area teams Sunday sure would be uplifting.

......meanwhile the CAVALIERS can polish their rings and get ready for another season.

@baconhound said:

And do we look forward with 20/20 foresight or will we again be looking backwards at that time with 20/20 hindsight?

Zombo said:

Nothing wrong with a little "where are they now" action...

It's the seemingly ever-constant woulda-shoulda-coulda that gets old fast...

... also gets ridiculous fast when it includes a RB that would at best be third string on our current team.

@londonbrown said:

That has to come through success from the team....it wasnt long ago that the Cleveland Browns fans were considered the best...the loudest....the proudest....and the most fanatical of all fans......not long ago at all....

And now, those same fans that have backed the team(no questions asked) for decade after decade after decade, are falling by the way side.....why, you ask?.....because the team has not lived up to their side of the bargain and they have delivered crap for 2 straight DECADES.....so, how long does one love another(blindly), while continuously getting kicked in the balls?

Every year....every single year.....we look forward, hope, pray, etc.....and then get our hearts ripped out.....and people say "be patient"....they'll get better....rooks will step up....wait for them to gel.....so and so is gonna be a star....THIS is the week.....blah blah blah....and, then, like clock work, they self destruct, fall apart and deliver crap on a plate......

Personally.....I dont spend much time "looking back"....I know water under the bridge is gone.....but I NOW need something more than words to convince me the team is on the right track....tangible evidence....proof.....cause Im tired of giving them my all(40+ years now) and then getting disappointed, depressed and embarrassed on a weekly basis.....footballs supposed to be fun, so its not an equitable arrangement

So now....nationally....NO ONE considers the Browns fans to be the most fervent or "best"....and, that my friend, is not the fans fault.

@londonbrown said:

How forward do we have to look, 2020: A Browns Odyssey

@the-gipper said:

Dick Ambrose went to law school with me at Cleveland-Marshall. (if you are checking up on certain former Browns....and he was a juvenile judge for some time...may still be)

Some are pretty cool about it. Remember Jim Kanicki he was one of our steel customers in the 1980s.

Back then more players were more serious about second careers as necessities after football compared to today's much higher paid players that can save a fortune while playing... if they're smart.

Zombo said:

Dick Ambrose went to law school with me at Cleveland-Marshall. (if you are checking up on certain former Browns....and he was a juvenile judge for some time...may still be)

@the-gipper said:

Of course I remember Goober! I thought you were talking about a new injury in 2016.

Zombo said:

And Terrance West is doing fairly well for the Ravens. Leads in fantasy football ownership right now.

http://www.nfl.com/fantasyfootball/story/0ap3000000715547/article/terrance-west-leads-week-5-fantasy-spot-starts

@londonbrown said:

I think it is quite normal to check up on former Browns, I've done it all my life.

Still keep tabs on Luke McCown.

Christian Yount was with the Patriots this Summer. In fact they have had 14 ex-Browns on their roster this year.

Probably Lombardi advised on lot of those in his brief tenure with the Pats.

Zombo

@londonbrown said:

Yup...

@hoorta said:

2014....Mack got hurt after playing only 5 games.....don't you remember?

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MackAl20.htm

Constantly looking back, it's time to look forward.

@wargograw said:

Yeah- that was Gipper. I thought he was talking something 2016.

@hoorta said:

Um where did you hear Mack got hurt? Link?

2014