Who are the Cleveland Browns top five villains?

As the Cleveland Browns continue their search for a hero to save the franchise, it’s a good time to look back on some villains who make the all-time list.

As a fan of the Cleveland Browns, you know they have more than a few villains in their history. These thorns in our side have contributed to the frustration felt by many Browns fans. Here are five that belong on the all-time list. Click Next to get started.

Honorable Mention: Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers

When Troy Polamalu is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he’ll undoubtedly be thankful he played two games a season against the Cleveland Browns. Polamalu grabbed nine of his 32 career interceptions versus the Browns.

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But Cleveland fans remember Polamalu for always seeming to be at the center of every Steelers victory. One of his greatest games against the Browns was on November 24, 2013 when he had one sack and two forced fumbles.

And now, the top five.

Number 5 – Sam Wyche, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals

The NFL is better when the Battle of Ohio means something. Perhaps the golden age of the rivalry was in the late 80s when Marty Schottenheimer and Bernie Kosar dueled it out with Wyche and Boomer Esiason.

In fact, between the series of heart breaks the Browns endured in the AFC Championship games, the Bengals managed to make a Super Bowl. Wyche rises to this infamous position for this unforgettable moment.

Number 4 – Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens

Of Ed Reed’s 64 career interceptions, 12 came at the expense of the Cleveland Browns. What adds to Reed’s infamy is that three of these interceptions were returned for touchdowns, including this 106-yard interception return in 2004.

Adding insult to injury, when Reed finally left the Ravens to finish his career with the Houston Texans he still managed to get an interception against the Browns.

Number 3 – James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite playing college football in Northeast Ohio (Kent State University), Harrison will always be remembered among Browns fans as the player who essentially created the phrase “leading with the helmet” for two memorable hits against Josh Cribbs and Colt McCoy.

Number 2 – John Elway, QB, Denver Broncos

The Drive. The Fumble. The common denominator in both? John Elway. Need we say more, probably not. Elway was the same insurmountable obstacle to Browns fans that Michael Jordan was to Cavs fans. His lifetime record against the Browns (including the playoffs) was 10-2.

Number 1 – Art Modell, Owner, Cleveland Browns

There can be only one name that overshadows John Elway and that is Art Modell. Few names will elicit the reaction that Modell’s name will among Browns fans. Modell did many wonderful things for the city of Cleveland that he and his wife Pat should deservedly get credit for.

However, his legacy as an owner includes the firing of Paul Brown, the alienation that led to the premature retirement of Jim Brown and the financial mismanagement that ultimately led to Modell’s disingenuously saying he “had no choice” but to move the original Cleveland Browns to the city of Baltimore.

Next: Browns can win Super Bowl 53 in 5 easy steps

As hard as the road back for the Browns has been since 1999, clearly Art Modell is deserving of this spot.

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Cleveland Browns: Top 5 villains of all-time

By Christopher Markoch | Jul 5, 2018