Cleveland Browns: 20 best draft day steals of all-time

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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Brian Sipe #17 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the football against the New York Jets during a game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on December 12, 1981 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Jets defeated the Browns 14-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

2. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. BrianSipe. 901. QB. San Diego State, 1972

Cleveland Browns best NFL Draft steals of all time: 2. Brian Sipe

The 1980 season is one that Browns fans still discuss to this day. Known as the ‘Kardiac Kids’, that team made their mark by winning in close games. They ended up 11-5 on the year and had seven games decided by three points or fewer and 12 of them were within a touchdown.

Unfortunately, that campaign ended short of their goal of getting a Super Bowl appearance. They were close, but the infamous Red Right 88 play resulted in a close loss to the Oakland Raiders.

That play went down in history as one of the most heartbreaking moments in the team’s history and many people may remember Brian Sipe for being the quarterback who threw the pick that sealed their fate.

While he was responsible for that, Sipe still earned MVP honors for that campaign. He earned that honor by completing 60.8 percent of his passes for 4,132 yards and 30 touchdowns. That was easily the best season of his career, but Sipe was no one-hit-wonder.

The San Diego State product was a long-time starter for the Browns, who selected him in the 13th round of the 1972 NFL Draft. The 330th player in the draft, Sipe was a full-time starter by his third season in the league. He ended up with 112 starts in his career and was 57-55 in that span.

For his career, Sipe finished just ahead of Otto Graham for the most passing yards in Browns’ history with 23,713. He was second in touchdowns with 154 in his career.

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