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(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns fans need to
check out Terry Pluto’s latest book called Vintage Browns.
The
book is beautifully described on the cover as “A Warm Look Back at the
Cleveland Browns of the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and More.”
Here are
just a few reasons why I love this book.
1.
Insider Knowledge
Pluto
does not recount the players’ stories; he interviews the players who tell their
own stories.
The
majority of these teams played prior to the internet and social media age so
only local media reporters like Pluto had access to these people.
Pluto has developed
relationships with these players to the point that they are comfortable years
later talking to him about their time in Cleveland.
The
book contains insider information mixed with hindsight which allows for
interesting perspectives.
2. Comprehensive
The book
has 21 chapters and 208 pages.
Each
chapter focuses on a different player or event.
Even
the most ardent Browns fans do not know all of this information.
It
is easy to read and has pictures from The Plain Dealer of the players
in their heyday.
3. Entertaining
Pluto has
written many books so he clearly knows how to get the reader hooked.
The
stories and chapters are organized and weaved together to make the book
difficult to put down.
Informative
books are not always entertaining, but this one is.
4. Too Many Favorite Parts To Share
The
quarterbacks are always interesting.
Brian
Sipe, Bernie Kosar, Tim Couch, and Brady Quinn are highlighted.
Colorful coaches like Marty Schottenheimer and Bill Belichick
are fun to read about.
And Phil Dawson was a kicking
marvel.
Everyone knows this, but his attitude
and preparation were unparalleled.
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Every Browns kicker should be required to spend
time with Dawson because he will teach them a thing or two about kicking in
Cleveland.
He approached kicking like it was a
science and as if his job was on the line with every kick.
Part of his gameday preparation was a
close study of the weather to pinpoint his range before he ever got on the
field.
5. Key Takeaways
It felt
like nearly every player Pluto interviewed is still a Browns fan regardless of
how their careers turned out.
There
is something in the culture that makes players bleed orange and brown even
after their playing days.
Another
interesting takeaway for me was the relationship between Paul Brown and Vince
Lombardi.
This
friendship directly led to Ernie Green’s arrival in Cleveland.
There are many more, but I really don’t want to spoil the
book for you so I won’t share anything else.
You simply must read it; I promise you will
enjoy it.
