CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans! The shocking (gasp!) news that Joe Flacco has been named the Browns' starting quarterback for the 2025 season continues to be absorbed by unbelieving Browns fans. The shockwaves were so fierce that a butterfly was momentarily disturbed and then flew off in the grounds surrounding Berea, Ohio. Stefanski surprised us all. Or not.
Keep an eye on the Browns News Ticker throughout the day. VIPs have a bunch of updates in OBR Rumor Central and we'll have live practice updates on the Insider Discussion board.
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
The news that Art Modell was going to move the Cleveland Browns, of all teams, to Baltimore in 1995 was a critical moment for many Browns fans. We united, for a while, in the common cause of fighting to get our team back through whatever peaceful means necessary. And we won. Modell and Baltimore were forced to surrender the team's name, legacy and history back to its rightful owners on the shores of Lake Erie.
After that, a group of fans continued the fight, demanding that Cleveland not stoop to the level of other metropolitan areas by stealing another franchise and declaring that the NFL needed to award the Browns an expansion franchise ASAP.
Sam Chambers (SamAtlanta) was one of those who fought. He was a member of the old BFWWN (Browns Fans Worldwide Network), a group of dedicated fans who kept up the fight for the Browns to return, and return in the right way.
It is with a sad heart that I need to bring the news that our good forum friend passed away on August 12th.
Sam wasn't the most prolific poster on the forums, but his presence was essential. Whether commiserating with his fellow fans about matters of the gridiron or of real life, wistfully remembering better days for the franchise, or just talking football, Sam was a constant presence in the online Browns community for years, offering level-headed and good-natured banter with his fellow hard-core fans. He was so devoted to our forums and talking Browns whenever he could that we made him a moderator for the Watercooler.
I distinctly remember him talking about his late father, and wishing he could pick up the phone and talk to him. It resonated with me because I felt the exact same way.
Virtually the first thing mentioned in his obituary is that he was a long-time Cleveland Browns fan. He was more than that, of course. He was a husband, a grandfather, an expert in the healthcare arena, and a guitarist. I know that there's much more about him than that, including religious devotion, but I remember him as one of the most dedicated Browns fans I've ever met.
Sam and I only met once. It was last year when he returned to Cleveland - he was a native Clevelander before moving south - traveling with his sister. We were supposed to meet at a local craft beer store with an attached restaurant, but it was closed, so we scrambled to find somewhere else, ending up at a Lone Star steakhouse.
We talked for a long time over lunch and some frosty cold ones. It was one of those meet-ups where you feel like you've known each other for years. And we had, for sure, thanks to decades of online discussions. We talked about the Browns, of course, from the move to the expansion years, to the struggles at quarterback (Deshaun Watson's name unfortunately came up).
I probably could have talked with Sam and his sister for hours and hours. The conversation continued as we walked out, and then we were compelled to stand on the sidewalk to continue talking. But other destinations and life beckoned, and we had to go our separate ways.
I'll remember Sam for his devotion to the Browns, his good nature, and his online companionship through 30 years. He was a brother in arms, a brother in faith to this town and its teams, and a good man.
He'll be missed. Rest in peace.
Go Browns.
Newswire Bloviation Archive
OBR STUFF
ARTICLES
Grading Young Cleveland Browns Players' Performances vs Philadelphia Eagles - Jacob
Kaden Davis Making his Case to Earn Roster Spot for Cleveland Browns - Joe
Browns Sign WR Isaiah Bond to a Three-Year Fully Guaranteed Contract; Andrew Berry Issues Statement on Move - Fred
Cleveland Browns Name Joe Flacco the Team's Starting Quarterback - Jacob
Cleveland Browns Defensive Stock Up/Down : Philadelphia Eagles - Jack
Cleveland Browns Daily News Ticker 8/18 - Barry
3 Thoughts Coming off the Cleveland Browns Second Preseason Victory - Pete
Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 8/18: Trey Hendrickson and Other Football Fantasies - Barry
FORUM POSTS
ASK THE INSIDERS (VIP)
Kevin S as QB whisperer II? (VIP)
2025 - One of the Browns better TCs? (VIP)
Browns practice (VIP)
Any trades expected ? (VIP)
Early expectations for Fannin and TE room (VIP)
More Judkins questions (sorry) (VIP)
If they carry 4 QBs (VIP)
FU Jack: Could A Pickett Trade Work With The Bengals? (VIP)
Judkins timeline (VIP)
Fred Greetham Audio from WTAM / Bloomdaddy
Going to the game this weekend with my kid
Fred Talks Browns-Eagles with Wills & Snyder (WTAM)
OT (Somewhat): Redskins family member demands return of name
Stefanski and BS
Adam Schefter: Flacco to be Starter
What position group is short changed to keep 4 QBs on Roster?
Trey Hendrickson
OT: How you do know when its time to say goodbye to your pet?
Wide Receivers
With the I.Bond signing. Which 6 WRs make the cut
OT: Pets
ESPN: 5 Teams most like to be improved this year
Why haven't the Browns signed Judkins ?
We need an unrealistic Trey Hendrickson thread here
LiveWire Thread for 8/18 - Twitter, Video, Articles
THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond... Browns DE Myles Garrett expands annual back-to-school giveaway to reach more than 5,000 local students - (news5cleveland.com)
Myles Garrett has been out in the community helping for years and has, in particular, taken an interest in assisting children to get properly equipped for school. He's done a "Back-to-School Backpack" Giveaway for four years now.
Well, now Garrett is taking it to the next level, helping 5,000 local students get set to start the new school year. Garrett had an event on Sunday at Rocket Arena with a few hundred local students, who quizzed him on such matters as dinosaurs (a favorite Garrett topic) and his football career.
Myles said of Cleveland: "There will never be a disconnect with me in Cleveland. Still love every moment of being here, continuing to plant my roots here and start a family here, I'm so happy to continue this relationship."
WRAPPING UP
When not remembering old friends, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
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