Dawgs By Nature
Despite winning eight titles, the narrative is that Browns have never been to a Super Bowl, 5 games explain why
Most folks believe the NFL title game began with the Super Bowl. That isn’t true.
Although the NFL began in 1920, it didn’t have a league title game until 1933. From 1933 to 1969, to become the NFL champs, a club first had to win the “NFL Championship Game.”
Super Bowl 4 was the first game to be officially coined the “Super Bowl.” The first three installments were entitled the “AFL-NFL Championship Game.” This game pitted the champions of the American Football League (AFL) against the champions of the National Football League (NFL).
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The AFL began in 1960 and was an NFL rival league. The two leagues were completely separate until they decided to merge into one league beginning in 1970. Beginning in 1966, preseason games were shared, the college draft became a common draft, and a grand championship game would be held.
The NFL won the first two while the younger league captured the second two games. That final game in 1969 became known officially as the “Super Bowl” and has been the name of the league championship game ever since. Then the first three “AFL-NFL Championship Games” were renamed Super Bowls 1-3.
The Cleveland Browns are ranked tied for sixth for the most pro football championships with eight titles. The franchise has won four All-America Football Conference (AAFC) titles and four NFL crowns. As far as NFL-only clubs, the Browns are tied for third with the New York Football Giants behind the Green Bay Packers (13) and Chicago Bears (9).
Many folks don’t consider any NFL title game pre-Super Bowl era to be official since those title games weren’t played under the guise of being a “Super Bowl.” To them, it does not matter that the NFL has had a champion since its inception in 1920 through 1965. Since none of those winners played in a Super Bowl, they don’t either count or don’t matter.
If it’s not a Super Bowl win, then it isn’t of any significance, as though it never happened.
Which isn’t true.
The Super Bowl is simply the new name for the league championship game. If the NFL were to rename this game, such as after Super Bowl 100, would all the Super Bowl winners suddenly lose their titles and significance? Of course not.
Indeed, it is true that the Browns have never participated in a league championship game called the Super Bowl.
But Cleveland had their chances.
To be factual, they had lots of opportunities and for one reason or another, they blew it and lost games that they should have won. And these were some excellent Browns teams with Pro Bowl players and a great coaching staff. There is no telling how many Super Bowls Cleveland would’ve, could’ve, should’ve participated in if this or that had happened instead. Winning a Super Bowl may...
