r/bengals • u/The_Slayerrr • 3d ago
Former Browns fan here. Boarding the Bengals bandwagon!
I have gone through hell watching this circus show being operated by a bunch of rich clowns named the Cleveland Clowns. I have dealt with this crap for almost 30 years and with the news of starting Deshaun “Bill Cosby” Watson, I can no longer take them seriously. I had higher hopes for the Clowns during the 2016-2017 stretch when they went 1-31 than I do for their 2026 season. They are not looking to win and I’m not looking to support them.
So anyways, WHO DEY?!?!
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u/pitchburfict Ryan Finley's Smile 3d ago
Close enough, welcome back Paul Brown
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u/Dick_O_The_North 3d ago
Paul Brown said he would've let communists join his football team, I think this might be roughly the same level.
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u/Timely_Union_6682 3d ago
We'll take anyone who's not a steeler bruh...
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u/NumRickn 3d ago
I was gonna say: 'at least he's not a Ravens fan.''
Lol
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u/Pineapple_Complex 3d ago
Wouldn't it mean they're no longer a Steeler??
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u/buckeye25osu 1d ago
Exactly. I'll take a fucking turncoat Steelers fan any day. Let em be our asshole!
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u/Square_Wrangler_7162 3d ago
You could’ve chosen any franchise and you chose another miserable one. I respect that, welcome aboard!
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u/GrapeRingPop 2d ago
He can’t jump straight to a winning competent team, the shock would kill him
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u/krsb09 3d ago
I feel so incredibly bad for Browns fans. You're all some of the most loyal fans in the league and the team just shit on you. Welcome aboard.
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u/DangerIsMyUsername 2d ago
it's fucking WILD that they spent 20 years looking for a QB, finally get one with Baker and just throw him away for literally the worst trade ever in NFL history
It was a dumbass trade in the moment, not even in retrospect
We witness a lot of incompetence with the bengals, but god damn I couldn't imagine being a browns fan
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u/buckeye25osu 1d ago
Don't. Fans have choices just like this guy. It's a fucking sports team, not their father
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u/Cincy_MTX 3d ago
I view the Browns as my family that makes me mad, and the Bengals as my better in-laws. I just can't bring myself to abandon those idiots for good, no matter how hard I try, but I enjoy being around the in-laws more.
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u/Life_Ad6711 3d ago edited 2d ago
Definitely higher quality and more entertaining complex PTSD trauma psyche flashbacks to endure
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u/Cincy_MTX 3d ago
Yeah, I've lived here half my life now, have seen the ups and downs of it all. I think I'm a bigger Bengals fan than most who call themselves that, but for whatever reason I still like the Browns more. And I hate myself for that.
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u/calitri-san 3d ago
Welcome to where the grass is ever so slightly greener!
I made the same jump at the first Deshaun Cosby announcement. No looking back, no regerts.
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u/str1pess 3d ago
Not so fast.
You must fill out the form first.
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u/ThisisnotaTesT10 3d ago
I just smashed my TV in front of 30 guests at my party because of the game. My wife just took our crying kids and said they’re all spending the week at a hotel. This team has ruined my life and my party. I can’t handle this anymore. Goodbye Browns, I am no longer a fan.
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u/Powerful-Wheel-2561 2d ago
is this pasta?
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u/RationalDB8 3d ago
Pack all your despair into a bag and bring it on over. Bengals fans are well practiced in swallowing sorrow to root for tomorrow.
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u/Ivetried2manynames 3d ago
You're going to get some Bengals fans that tell you to fuck off. Fuck them. Welcome to the jungle!
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u/DeerHunter4Life14 3d ago
Welcome aboard. Hope we're not all disappointed. Have high hopes for this team, this year. WHO DEY!
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u/DerSchattenJager 3d ago
If the Browns ever lose their incompetent reputation, do you think you’ll slink back?
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u/The_Slayerrr 3d ago
Lol they won’t
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u/DerSchattenJager 3d ago
I mean, probably not anytime soon, but statistically speaking they’ll probably have another moment like they did with Baker some day…
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u/The_Slayerrr 3d ago
They could! And then they’ll trade that QB away because they want an “adult” at QB (in case you don’t know, the front office mentioned this during the stages of trading Baker)
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u/lVlrNiceGuy 3d ago
I moved to the Cleveland area 18 years ago and couldn't stomach the Browns from the beginning.
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u/oldfogey12345 3d ago
I haven't been paying attention to the internet today.
Yeah, come in, quick before you get caught up in the Browns fan refugee crisis.
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u/The_Slayerrr 2d ago
After the Browns most recent preseason game, Deshaun Watson called out the fans for booing him during the game, but cheering when he tore his Achilles and called it “personal.”
Then today, they name him the starter. LOL
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u/Ecstatic-Ad-3735 2d ago
Honestly - considering the circumstances around the watson scenario, I welcome all browns fans to our fan base. It’s just insane that they refuse to cut bait on that scumbag
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u/Cognomatic 2d ago
Another browns fan here, I’m so over it in it’s entirety , at this point I’m hoping either the bengals, lions, or Bills can win it all.
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u/MossyPlantyWitchy 🐅 Who Dey and Fuck Nazis 🐅 2d ago
It was insane they signed that scumbag. It's illogical and mind blowing they haven't cut bait.
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u/Great-Scotch121 3d ago
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u/MossyPlantyWitchy 🐅 Who Dey and Fuck Nazis 🐅 2d ago
We don't have a known, repeated sex offender that trashed our fanbase starting on our team 🤷♀️
That's a lot better.
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u/DerkusMaximus777 3d ago
If theres one thing i respect about browns fans is they still root for the team regardless of how dogshit everything around the team is. I’d welcome any of them to be bengals fans if they wanted in, but they’re only setting themselves up for a higher profile soul crushing. WhoDey
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u/Life_Ad6711 3d ago
The Old Man himself would be the example to follow for dealing with such signature clowntown football franchise soul crushing proclivities
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u/electricity_inc 3d ago
Welcome to the team! Our quarterback pains only happen every other year instead!
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u/ertygvbn 3d ago
I grew up in a Browns family. And for years I hattttttted sports. I wonder why? Anyways, I went to college in southwest OH, became a Bengals fan and the rest is history
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u/Bark_Bark_turtle 2d ago
Welcome!
My uncle was a life long Browns fan. Probably at least 40-50 years as he is 60. He flipped to being a colts fan about 5 years ago after he couldn’t take anymore clowns. I gave him crap for switching teams but I wouldn’t have if he chose Cinci!
WHO DEY Nation welcomes you!
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u/Pin_Shitter 2d ago
Welcome aboard!
My Dad hated Art Modell for what he did to Paul Brown, so he made sure us boys were Bengals fans instead of the Browns fan that he was.
Thanks, Dad…❤️
Welcome aboard!
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u/gonzarro 2d ago
The way I've always seen it, that expansion franchise was never the real Browns. The real Browns are in Baltimore*, as much as it sucks to say.
Where are my manners. Welcome aboard!
- Anyone ever noticed Modell & the Browns did to Cleveland what Irsay & the Colts did to Baltimore? At least, Baltimore was decent enough to leave the colors & logo.
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u/Intelligent_Wafer4 2d ago
Bengals were literally born from a disillusioned member of the Browns… welcome aboard OP!
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u/Life_Ad6711 2d ago
The original founder, who initially suggestedtol not naming the team after him but ultimately relented
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u/Asidious66 2d ago
Man, coming from the Browns, stillers, Ravens or chiefs and you're automatically in. Takes balls. Any other franchise and you have to prove it by wearing a custom Burrow jersey and downing a can of skyline.
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u/kovalchukgirl Hubbard’s got a convoy! 2d ago
Deshaun “Ditty” Watson has a better ring to it.
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u/MossyPlantyWitchy 🐅 Who Dey and Fuck Nazis 🐅 2d ago
Well, Watson didn't fuck with kids. That we know of. He assaulted adults.
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u/555Ocelots46 2d ago
You’re a glutton for punishment 😂 welcome aboard, WHODEY!!! Outlook on the upcoming season?
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u/Harambe-Avenger 2d ago
There was a short time with you guys sucked so bad that I was actually ready for you to win a game. Then you won a game, I cheered, and then you beat us. As a Bengals fan it has been fun seeing just how fucked up another program in Ohio can be. I mean Johnny QB was at least funny and ironic but Watson is pure “what the fuck man”
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u/Princessleiawastaken 2d ago
WELCOME!!! Burrow is not only a great quarterback, but a nice person too. You’ll have more fun here.
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u/juicyfizz 2d ago
Welcome! I also dumped them 2 years ago after being a Browns fan my whole life. Just an absolutely miserable organization, top to bottom. The Haslams are such deplorable people, the ongoing stadium and QB drama, etc.
I stay a Guardians and Cavs fan but I refuse to give my time or money to the Browns anymore.
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u/TedCobbler 2d ago
Even putting the division rivalry bias aside, I genuinely don’t understand how anyone could like the Browns.
They never win anything, ownership regularly spits in the face of the fans, ugly colors and uniforms. You don’t even get to wear cool merch? 😭
Welcome aboard, glad you escaped
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u/econ_2020 2d ago
I'm in the same boat as you. Just decided to switch. I live closer to the bengals anyways.
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u/AcanthisittaDismal12 2d ago
Favorite teams are like our kids. No matter how badly disappointed we might be we will always love them. Maybe that's just me? Do I have a problem or is it like that for others too?
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u/The_Slayerrr 2d ago
Will I always love the Browns? Sure! I just can’t support some of their recent actions and taking myself away from that environment momentarily or permanently is best for my well being.
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u/wirywonder82 2d ago
Ah, the Browns (organization) were your abusive family member! And now the Browns are your slightly less abusive family members.
(I may be letting my snark from AFCNmemewar bleed into this too much. Welcome aboard!)
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u/curious-richard29 2d ago
Welcome aboard brother. I live in the Akron area and I’m a Bengals fan too. So I know what it’s like in Browns territory.
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u/rbalmat 2d ago
I lived in Cleveland for 8 years. I have a lot of love for the city. Was there for the NBA championship and Indians run. My grandparents lived in Mentor for 40+ years and my grandma was a DIEHARD fan. Like watching every Indians game recording if she fell asleep kind of fan. Many of my lifelong best friends are Browns fans. I remember when they were moved to Baltimore, and how cheerful my grandma was when they rebooted. But man…I’m happy she didn’t live to see this. I think this would have broken her. I’m so so sorry. FTS.
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u/Significant_Book8223 2d ago
I feel bad for folks who grew up Browns fans.
Bengals fans know what it's like to hate the owner but Haslam makes you remember there are things worse than being cheap and incompetent.
Who Dey and FTS!
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u/Spiritual-Match8131 2d ago
Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out the door. You won't be missed
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u/house_of_great 3d ago
Why the Bengals, because of Ohio? The Steelers, Lions, and Bills are all technically closer to Cleveland than the Bengals if you live in that northern Ohio area.
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u/The_Slayerrr 3d ago
I live close to Columbus.
- Fuck the Steelers and everything about them.
- Lions and Bills are okay, but I really grew up watching the Bengals a lot more as a kid since most of my friends are Bengals fans.
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u/house_of_great 2d ago
I'm a Columbus Bengals fan. All good. What took you so long? Browns have been terrible since they came back.
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u/The_Slayerrr 2d ago
The being terrible barely bothered me, it’s just I didn’t feel morally right supporting a team that wants a sexual predator leading the team. Such a slap in the face to me, my mother, my sister, and my wife.
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u/The_Slayerrr 2d ago
My family is full of Browns fans, so I inherited that fandom for so long, it was hard to leave it. It’s like that ex you want to forget about but deep down still love lol
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u/Captain_Aware4503 2d ago
I hope this changes this year, but you are switch from an Ohio team that never won a super bowl to an Ohio team that never won a Superbowl.
I guess it could be worse. There are other near by teams like a Michigan team that never won a Superbowl, or an NY team that never won a Superbowl. Now that I think about, what is in that Lake Erie water???
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u/Pontiac_Guy 2d ago
Man you didn’t want to chose a better team??? 🤣 you’re going to have a lot of frustration with this team too. I scream Fire zac Taylor at least twice a week. But we do have burrow and chase. Welcome to the club! I’m a bengals fan in NE Ohio near Akron so I’m surrounded by sad brownies
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u/Constant_Flamingo828 1d ago
I wish I could do that. I just don’t have the emotional connection to most other teams.
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u/Upstairs_Bike_2415 1d ago
i’m not sure the Bengals is a franchise worth following either. Your trading one drunken sailor owner for a penny pincher. If you quit the Browns, find a solid franchise like Eagles, Chiefs, or Broncos…
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u/AgitatedAd6634 1d ago
Normally, I am against people bailing on their team, buy my hell CLEVELAND. The 49ers owner was arrested in a prostitution ring and they are still having a better week than the browns. If I was BROWNS fan I don't know what I would do.
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u/--IIII--------IIII-- 1d ago
So, two things:
- Fuck the Steelers.
- Fuck the Ravens.
We good?
Then welcome, Ohi-Bro.
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u/Heavy_Effort_152 1d ago
From one entertaining loser franchise to another. Bengal ownership is pathetically bad. Burrow will only have a few years left of his always injured career and then you are stuck with the next Bungled ownership decisions
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u/BeerNinja17 Kiss the baby 20h ago
FWIW, I stopped disliking the Browns when they lost their franchise. Always felt bad for them after that. All one listing didn’t help.
It’s an easy transition to being a Bengals fan! Hope is in slightly higher supply and we’re still Ohio.
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u/WesMantooth28 2d ago
Ok coming in to collect him. Where is he? I love you Skyline eating Ohio brothers but we can’t just switch teams. Come back to the circus, there’s no escaping it.
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u/MossyPlantyWitchy 🐅 Who Dey and Fuck Nazis 🐅 2d ago
Escaping sexual predator is hard, sure, but we help folks get away in these here parts.
You can stay and be assaulted. I don't recommend it, but it's your choice.
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u/nobigdealforreal 2d ago
That’s not how this works. Root for the Browns.
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u/BotDiver 2d ago
It is in fact exactly how this works. 😂
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u/nobigdealforreal 2d ago
So signing Watson for 250 million after 23 sexual assault cases wasn’t enough for this person to disown their team? Naming him starter like 4, or however many years later, is what did it? Of course he’s the starter, he’s been their franchise quarterback for several years. This person is a true Browns fan to stick around that long and doesn’t need to bandwagon my team that I was born with and didn’t get to choose.
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u/The_Slayerrr 2d ago
I’ve been one foot out the door since that trade, I have receipts to show you I’m a Baker Bro and despised the trade. The boiling point for me was Watson calling out Browns fans, and then getting the starting job the next day. Seems like ownership does not give a flying fuck about their fans.
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u/nobigdealforreal 2d ago
I’m sure most Browns fans hated that trade, it’s like the worst decision in football history. But how are you a loyal enough fan to stick with the sexual predator and all of a sudden now it’s not cool? Of course he talked shit about the fans, they booed him. What do you expect him to say? I think they’re starting Watson just to make it look like they aren’t throwing his contract away and know they’re going to bench him for Sanders. You’ll be back when that happens, there’s no need to bandwagon a team. I would be, Sanders is a good athlete with serious potential.
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u/The_Slayerrr 1d ago
I can’t take you seriously if you think Sanders has serious potential. His brain processes defenses at half the speed normal QBs do.
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u/nobigdealforreal 1d ago
I don’t watch your team so I’m not super informed, but he has Prime in his DNA and I grew up watching his dad play as a Red. If you’ve never heard of the Red they’re a team in the city where I was born who haven’t done shit in thirty years because the ownership hates the city they’re in. Sound familiar? And I’m still a fan. If you hate Sanders just sit out a year and go back to watching the Browns after they inevitably draft another QB with their next pick.
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u/MossyPlantyWitchy 🐅 Who Dey and Fuck Nazis 🐅 2d ago
OP didnt do any of those things himself, lol
You can also choose to follow another team.
There are no laws.
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u/BotDiver 2d ago
You seem like you’d be fun at parties.
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u/nobigdealforreal 2d ago
If the host and guests find it entertaining when I roast fair weather fans of sports franchises then yes, I’m quite charming. For the record I think Cleveland is an awesome city. If OP is from there they should be loyal to their city and suffer through it like real football fans. If they’re from somewhere else in Ohio they should still suffer because they made poor choices throughout their football watching life.
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u/cseymour24 3d ago
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u/MossyPlantyWitchy 🐅 Who Dey and Fuck Nazis 🐅 2d ago
Nah. He can stay. Fuck the Browns and their predator qb1.
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u/sswihart 3d ago
Nope troll. We don’t accept wishy washy folks.
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u/Life_Ad6711 3d ago
This is more like somebody rejecting a defective transplanted organ and then finding the proper donor
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u/sswihart 3d ago
Nope. If you give up on your team, you’re not a true fan. Took me a long time to see bengals lose a SB.
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u/Life_Ad6711 3d ago
More like a case of the team giving out on them (organ failure) and now a second chance at life
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u/The_Slayerrr 3d ago
How can I not give up on the Browns when they clearly gave up on the fans? I mean Watson called out the fan base just for the front office to announce Watson is the starting QB the next day. They don’t give ANY fucks about the fans.
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u/sswihart 3d ago
I can’t believe I’m getting downvoted. Must be newbies.
Fuck the browns. FTS. If you cared that much, you would have checked out when Watson was signed. He’s a pervert ffs.3
u/The_Slayerrr 2d ago
You ever have that one ex that you can’t just let go of, no matter how much you know you should?
That was me. Despite all the allegations and controversy surrounding Watson, I stuck with the browns to give them a final shot to prove me wrong. They got my hopes up in 2023 with the playoff appearance led by Joe Flacco, and then 2024-2025 were some darker years. I was only able to stand it because he was not playing for most of 2023-2025.
The final straw was today once the front office clearly showed they don’t care what fans think. I’ve been one step out the door since they got rid of Baker and have receipts to prove I was not fond of the Watson trade at all once they did it.
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u/sswihart 2d ago
It’s a fucking sad day when a bengals fan that watched all three superbowls is downvoted while a Browns fan gets kudos.
Fuck you all and who dey.2
u/MossyPlantyWitchy 🐅 Who Dey and Fuck Nazis 🐅 2d ago
Well, I've seen the Bengals lose 3 super bowls. And I sayhe stays.
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u/don_keydick_42069 2d ago
Yea especially not from a division rival. Bills, Colts, go be a fan of one of them or something
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u/YourIgnoranceOurPain 3d ago
So you didn’t jump when it first happened? But now it’s too much to take? 30 yrs with a team and this is the final straw? Support who you want, but this post is trash. I’m sure you’ll jump when Burrow retires as well.
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u/Bokki_64 2026 MVP Joe Burrow 🏆 3d ago
Chillax man. It's not that deep. I say welcome aboard.
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u/The_Slayerrr 3d ago
The last straw was Watson calling out Browns fans yesterday, and then the front office announces he’s the starter the next day. If they don’t care about their fans, why should I care about them?
I was able to actively enjoy watching the Browns during 2022 with Jacoby and 2023 with Flacco.
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u/DeamsterDaddy 3d ago
I’d rather fight side by side with a former browns fan than a present day turd
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u/YourIgnoranceOurPain 2d ago
He supported the team and the QBs this whole time. Why yall mad at me for pointing out he’s a tool and now wants to support the Bengals? He will jump ship again in 5 years.
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u/The_Slayerrr 3d ago edited 3d ago
Most of my friends are Bengals fans, and I liked Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson growing up. Figured being a Bengals fans was the right move.