The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns fan bases simply don’t like each other. When Steeler Nation travels to Cleveland for away games, Steeler fans have reportedly been treated with notable disrespect. There have been stories about Browns fans doing some cruel things to Steeler fans when they come into their home stadium.
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Brave Steelers fans wave their Terrible Towels during a road game in Cleveland.
That’s not shocking, given the bitter rivalry between these two teams and the general animosity among fan bases within the AFC North. Despite this, Steelers fans proudly hold the reputation as some of the most loyal and passionate supporters in professional sports.
During a recent episode of Footbahlin, Ben Roethlisberger touched on the topic of great NFL fan bases, sparking a wave of intrigue. To the surprise of many Steelers faithful, Roethlisberger openly acknowledged the passion of Browns fans. He admitted that Cleveland boasts one of the best fan bases in the league, a comment sure to raise eyebrows among Steeler Nation.
"Honestly, and this is gonna go against a lot of the things I say on this show and talk about," Roethlisberger started. "I would say the Cleveland Browns. Since I came into the league in 2004, they have had 67 quarterbacks and the fans are still showing up."
Roethlisberger’s remarks highlighted his respect for the Browns fan base, despite his history of tormenting them on the field.
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Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger avoids oncoming Cleveland Browns pass rusher to attempt a pass during the 2014 home opener in Week 1.
Known for their unwavering support of a franchise with more than its share of struggles, Browns fans have earned recognition for their dedication.
"The fans want a winner," Roethlisberger continued. "They might be there with brown paper bags on their heads, but the dawg pound is the dawg pound. Look at that game on Thursday night against the Steelers… they have no chance to do anything and they are still there in full force. Snowstorm, they are there. Like they want a winner so bad and to me, it’s like a fan base that wants a winner and is just living and breathing for an opportunity to get to the playoffs."
While Steelers fans may not appreciate the praise for their rivals, Roethlisberger’s perspective underscores the intense loyalty that fuels this fierce rivalry.
"Maybe that is just a pity thing, but I just think Cleveland has great fans that want to win and want to be great," Roethlisberger said.
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Dominated The Browns
Roethlisberger boasts an incredible record against the Browns, with 25 wins, only three losses, and one tie. Throughout his career, he consistently dominated Cleveland, often turning their matchups into one-sided affairs.
Yet, despite the Browns’ struggles during his playing days, Roethlisberger grew to respect their fan base. He recognized their unwavering loyalty, noting how they always showed up, loud and proud, regardless of the team’s performance.
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Browns fans wear bags on their heads during a brutally bad season.
It’s safe to say Steelers fans might not love hearing Roethlisberger praise their rivals, but his point is valid. The Browns' fan base has demonstrated remarkable dedication, standing by their team through thick and thin. That passion makes them a unique part of the NFL’s landscape, even if Steelers fans would rather not admit it.
The Steelers recently faced the Browns in Cleveland on a Thursday night and came up short, losing 24-19. Now, they’ll have a chance to redeem themselves when the Browns visit the Steel City on Sunday. With a 9-3 record, Pittsburgh will aim for their 10th win of the season and an opportunity to leave the bitter taste of that last loss behind.
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