You already know Jim Brown is a beloved figure in Northeast Ohio. And on Saturday, the legendary Browns running back and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer once again made it clear the feeling's mutual at the team's second-annual Fan Fest.
"I think Cleveland really would be considered the No. 1 root of fans that have the knowledge of the game and who have the loyalty of sticking with their team through the ups and downs because the history of this city is based upon the people and this is very special," said Brown, who headlined a Gold Jacket Roundtable that included fellow legends in Joe DeLamielleure and Paul Warfield.
In front of a packed audience at FirstEnergy Stadium, the trio swapped stories and thanked the fans for their years of support.
"I come back as an old guy and they still remember me and we're always going to share that championship and I'm always going to speak well of Cleveland," Brown said.
"And when you talk about football knowledge, you talk about the Dawg Pound and you talk about rabid fans, this is the place. You are the greatest fans in the world. And we're so glad to be here."
The Dawg Pound was out in full force at the Browns' annual Fan Fest.
Brown also had praise for first-year coach Hue Jackson, who has helped bring a noticeable energy to Berea in recent months.
"Just remember," Brown said, "I'm always going to be a Cleveland Brown, I can't do a doggone thing about it so thank goodness we have a great coach now and we're going to see some progress. I guarantee you that."
