By Grace Austin
Cleveland Browns fans often speak of the “Factory of Sadness,” a nickname for FirstEnergy Stadium, where the often-losing NFL team plays. Since the team’s return to Cleveland in 1999, the Browns have made the playoffs only once, in 2002. Last season, they won only one game.
But in the heart of Wrigleyville, Chicago’s Chi-Town Dawg Pound brings together diehard fans that still root for the hometown team from “The Land.” The Chi-Town Dawg Pound was voted the No.1 Browns Backers Worldwide fan club in 2016, mostly due to a mix of attendance, enthusiasm and philanthropic efforts. And with a No. 1 pick in the draft this year, hope for this year’s team is brewing.
Photo at top: The Cleveland Browns chose defensive end Myles Garrett as its No.1 pick, breaking a long tradition of first-round quarterback picks. (Grace Austin/MEDILL)
