Looking back on it now, it’s almost impossible to find a more emotional Cleveland Browns victory this century than the club’s 24-21 triumph over the New York Jets in 2002.
The man responsible for bringing the Browns back to Cleveland in 1999, team owner Al Lerner, died on a Wednesday in late October 2002 at the age of 69 after a long battle with brain cancer. Browns fans openly wept in the streets and flowers poured into the team facility in Berea.
Four days later, with heavy hearts, flags flying at half-staff and an “AL” tribute patch sewn prominently on their jerseys, the Browns flew into New Jersey for a late midseason battle with Jets.