When the Cleveland Browns selected Bernie Kosar in the 1985 Supplemental draft, few knew just how much that would impact the next decade of Cleveland Browns football. They were coming off of a rough patch, but had a long history of winning. The fans were passionate and ready to support a winner. What happened next was a decade of ups and downs the likes of which were dramatic enough that it often seemed like a Hollywood script was unfolding before our very eyes. There was a drive, a fumble, even retired quarterback Don Strock made his return straight off of a golf course. Beloved coach, Marty Schottenheimer, left and Bud Carson arrived to take the Browns back to the verge of the Super Bowl in 1990, only to fall short, once again being defeated by the emerging icon, John Elway, wearing number seven for the Denver Broncos. Bill Belichick would arrive soon after in 1991, a visionary before his time that never quite got it with the Browns, and by the time he departed, cut a hometown hero and was the captain of sinking ship as Modell announced the move on that dreadful November day. One could wonder what would have happened had the Browns not left Cleveland in 1995, but no one can dispute the absolute thrill ride the hometown boy, Bernie Kosar, from Boardman Ohio took us all on for ten glorious years. This is the story of Cleveland Browns, the passionate fans and a decade that truly was the last great era in Cleveland football. Interviews include Brian Brennan, Reggie Langhorne, Tommy Vardell, Leroy Hoard, Matt Stover, Ed Sutter, George Lilja, Felix Wright, Brian Kinchen, Brian Hansen, and Michael Jackson

If you remember the Kardiac Kids … the Dawgs … the old Stadium … Bernie and Marty and Ozzie … this book is for you! Like a Classic throwback jersey, it recalls favorite players and exciting moments from Cleveland Browns teams of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and more. They played it old-school. Doug Dieken set the NFL record for consecutive starts by a left tackle despite three knee surgeries, broken hands and thumbs, torn tendons, a broken arm and “a concussion or two. Maybe four or six. Hard to know.” Ozzie Newsome never expected to play tight end when he was drafted, then practically reinvented the position on his way to the Hall of Fame. Bernie Kosar carried a massive weight on his young shoulders as a hometown hero leading the Browns during years when the team offered a ray of hope to a downtrodden city. Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack together formed one powerhouse backfield and separately dealt admirably with adversity. Phil Dawson discovered that despite popularity and longevity, “Every kick could be your last.” Also includes Gregg Pruitt, Brian Sipe, Marty Schottenheimer, Reggie Langhorne, Brian Brennan, Bill Belichick, Tim Couch, Phil Dawson, and others. These insightful short profiles will entertain Browns fans of any vintage!

The definitive and dramatic story of the Alex Rodriguez and Biogenesis scandal, written by the reporters who broke and covered the story. “Blood Sport is riveting...a tragicomedy filled with characters straight out of a Carl Hiaasen novel.”—The Washington Post The effects of the Biogenesis case—the biggest drug scandal in the history of American sports—are still being felt today. Fifteen Major League Baseball players were suspended, including Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez. Ten men were indicted in federal court. And a new MLB commissioner was elected based on his role leading the response to the case. Now, Tim Elfrink—who broke that first story in the Miami New Times—joins forces with Pulitzer Prize finalist investigative reporter Gus Garcia-Roberts to tell the shocking full story behind the headlines. Blood Sport blows the lid off the most expensive scandal in the history of the game, and now includes an epilogue revealing the stunning aftermath of the scandal and its effects for years to come.

Throughout a celebrated NFL career, former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar saw incredible successes and difficult challenges on and off the field. Since his playing days, Kosar has lived a fascinating life with as many successes as failures. The book explores the lessons he learned through his NFL career and beyond.

No matter the amount of losses, dysfunction, or controversy, the Cleveland Browns remain one of the most popular franchises in professional football. First and Ten covers the "new" history of the Browns after their return to the NFL in 1999, focusing on the positives without shying away from the negatives, for a fresh look at this storied team.

Terry Pluto, one of Cleveland's top sportswriters, takes a hard look at the first 5 years of the new Cleveland Browns franchise and doesn't like what he sees. This book chronicles the backroom deals, big-money power plays, poor decisions, and plain bad luck that have dogged the venerable franchise since Art Modell skipped town in 1995. Legions of loyal fans stand by, waiting for a return to past glory. How much longer must they wait? Pluto sifts through the clues from the last five seasons and looks for answers.

The award-winning sportswriter who regaled Cleveland's baseball fans with his wry, affectionate portrait of the Indians in "The Curse of Rocky Colavito" now immortalizes the much-beloved Cleveland Browns in this story of the team's 1964 championship season. of photos.