Joe Flacco.
He was an early winter phenomenon. From the sandlots of South Jersey to center stage at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Flacco lit up the stat sheets, propelled a team into the playoffs and then sent expectations skyrocketing for Ohioans. The Browns faithful soaked it up. They bathed in waters anointed by January Joe, who they believed would rekindle his playoff magic for their benefit.
Clevelanders purchased the Flacco jersey in droves. They chanted his name. Joe’s family plunged into the same waters. The love affair was real. To a man they believed that this Browns team would be different.