They had a teaser video on Tuesday night followed by the unveiling of a "new" yet "returning" look. Then, the Cleveland Browns Twitter account posted a love song — all to celebrate a face mask.
If that sounds like a bit much, it's because it was.
Cleveland deserves some credit for returning to the white face mask fans asked for. But they unveiled their "new" look in one of the weirdest ways possible — basically wanting to be praised for fixing something they broke. But this isn't new because they did the same thing in 2020 when they went back to the uniforms they wore before the 2015 disastrous rebrand.
Their non-stop self-praise also got the attention of other fan bases, who were quick to point fingers and laugh.
A hype video for a facemask color change? That's probably a first. https://t.co/0frhCgtx3e
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) April 17, 2024
1000% love the switch but first time I’ve ever seen a hype video for a face mask color
— Jack Connell (@JackPConnell) April 17, 2024
Not one, but TWO hype videos for a facemask color change??? pic.twitter.com/hL84wQDr7F
— That Rob Guy (@RobertPalaschak) April 17, 2024
It’s been 3 hrs since the browns did a face mask change hype video. https://t.co/nX3TzqTYPy
— Kaleb Everhart (@KalebJEverhart) April 17, 2024
Wait people are actually hyped that the Brown’s face mask is going from black to white.. my god 😂😂
— Kal (@StormyLab12) April 17, 2024
Idc how bad people claim the Pittsburgh Steelers are during this playoff drought we’re in.. we will still NEVER be a franchise that has to hype up our fan base by announcing a facemask color change..
— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) April 17, 2024
The Browns are such a sad football team, it’s comical. https://t.co/QMG4RLayhk
Browns fans have nothing to celebrate so they celebrate that they changed their facemask color. Unserious organization https://t.co/cwi7v4QTZ9
— ਹøకਮ ΞΞяηιššε (@JoshEernisse31) April 18, 2024
Even some Browns fans could do nothing but point out how odd this whole thing was with the Big Apple Browns Backers calling this the "most Browns thing ever." And they weren't alone as others who support the team were openly pointing out the absurdity.
Browns making a hype video for white face masks is the most Browns thing ever https://t.co/hW94fo7s2j
— Big Apple Browns Backers | NYC (@bigapplebrowns) April 17, 2024
Wow.... How CLE of us. The media, the fans all talking about a face mask!!! Sometimes I'm ashamed to call myself a Clevelander.@KenCarman @923TheFan @CLETalkingHeads @Browns pic.twitter.com/TKqMpEniuc
— jared swope (@rideshareJared) April 17, 2024
Two things:
— Nick Cammuso (@npc210) April 17, 2024
1. This is the best Browns look.
2. A hype video for a new facemask is on Vince Velasquez levels of unnecessary 😬 https://t.co/BeS1pRekyA
Browns hyping up a facemask is just as dumb as making a big deal over a new dog logo
— Ron Ryan (@MondayNightRon) April 17, 2024
There were also those who were just confused by the claiming that a "new era" is making it's "return." And yeah, that's definitely confusing.
the moment you’ve all been waiting for is finally here...white facemasks are here to stay!
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 17, 2024
📰 » https://t.co/aLqLY1ajU4 pic.twitter.com/6BMdtvKznH
If it's new, how can it be returning? https://t.co/qegGQkiEeP pic.twitter.com/OY2cDlhJHv
— Cristiano Bretas🇧🇷 (@CristianoBNG) April 17, 2024
"A new era" and "returns" are inherently contradictory statements 😂 https://t.co/MzKS7jFTy7
— The Steelers n'at (@thesteelersnat) April 17, 2024
Still, nothing was worse than the way the social media team simply wouldn't stop. One post in particular could come back to haunt the team. Imagine getting handed a tough loss only to see the opposing team's social media department post this tweet with the caption "They got an L but at least their swag is still too different."
white facemasks you have to stop. your drip too hard. your swag too different. your glossy finish too fresh. pic.twitter.com/IWUcji6iq1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 17, 2024
Again, it's admirable the Browns listened to the fans but the way they went about all of this was overboard and the jokes won't stop anytime soon. This was also the case in 2015, especially when it came to the 'oranger' logo. And yes, we have a new logo as well — with a white face mask.