Remembered for his costly fumble as he neared the goal line in the final minutes of the 1987 AFC Championship at Denver, the former Browns running back is re-connecting with Cleveland and its fans.
Browns coach Hue Jackson believes a championship would change Cleveland's self-image.
"We hope that will happen, that this is the year," said Jim Brown, the Hall of Fame running back who helped the Browns win the city's last title on Dec. 27,NFL Jerseys From China, 1964. "Cleveland has a good chance."
The city's well-chronicled sports famine — the Cavaliers, Browns and Indians have gone a combined 144 seasons without winning the big one — and the nicknamed near-misses like "The Drive" and "The Fumble" have grown into something outsiders latch onto anytime Cleveland makes news. The national narrative goes something like this: poor, pitiful Cleveland, where the river once caught fire, winter never ends and second place is as good as it ever gets.
Cleveland has been waiting five decades to party like it's 1964. When the Cavs won their first playoff series in 1976, fans tore down the baskets — a tradition reserved for football goal posts.
Byner has spent nearly 30 years carrying around guilt, haunted by the miscue.
"I'm pulling like hell for them, so I can imagine what it's like for people who have spent their whole lives here," he said. "Man, I hope they get it."
And, Cleveland waits.
"I feel like some of the energy from 'Believeland' has opened up something sort of spiritual that is going to help all of this come together."
With homegrown hero LeBron James and the Cavaliers back in the NBA Finals, but facing a daunting 2-0 deficit after being embarrassed by Golden State in Game 2 on Sunday night, Cleveland has another chance to end its 52-year major pro sports championship drought. Fans dream of popping champagne and a having a parade down East 9th Street.
"There are a lot of big things going on here," he said. "Look at what the Cavs are doing. Things are changing for our teams."
But since the debut of "Believeland," a documentary about the city's sports heartbreak, Byner has been overwhelmed by a flood of support by fans moved by a moment in the film when Byner looks into the camera with tear-filled eyes and says, "I messed it up for everybody."
CLEVELAND (AP) — The tire-swallowing potholes are fixed. A few new luxurious hotels dot the skyline. Flowers and trees seem to have sprouted through cement, brightening downtown and making it almost unrecognizable to even the locals.
Rarely is there any discussion about the city's renowned medical community, its symphony orchestra or art museum. Nobody mentions the fabulous restaurants, low cost of living or vibrant music scene.
"We'd walk around very proudly and feel good about what we're doing because this city is about hard work," he said. "It's about putting your head down and working hard and showing up every day to get done what you need to get done."
Now 80, Brown hopes he lives long enough to see Cleveland on top again.
If anyone understands the city's sports hunger, it's Indians manager Terry Francona, who in 2004 guided the Boston Red Sox past the Curse of the Bambino and to their first World Series championship since 1918. Francona spent part of his childhood here when his dad, Tito, played for the Indians.
"It's a great city with loyal fans, and if the Cavs could bring it home, man, the streets will be alive," he said. "Fans will probably march for a month."
Cleveland rocks.
Earnest Byner senses the new vibe,Andre Johnson Jersey.
Although getting the history-making, shot-making Warriors to tap out may be impossible, Miocic believes his victory is emblematic of a Cleveland turnaround.
But while the Browns are one of only four teams never to reach the Super Bowl, the Indians haven't won the World Series since 1948 and the Cavs are winless in two previous finals with James,Cheap Baseball Jerseys Shirts, the city does have a recent championship to call its own. Stipe Miocic,Jerseys NFL China, who grew up in the eastern suburbs and chokes up when talking about the city's sports misfortunes, recently won the UFC heavyweight crown by knocking out Brazil's Fabricio Werdum.
Cleveland is helping Byner heal, embracing him the way it once did. He feels at home.
Around here, that's all you can ask for.
Cleveland, rising once again after decades of decline, is ready to host a party — the Republicans.
But before Donald Trump's expected nomination at the national convention in July, when red, white an