By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The euphoria surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first NBA championship did not arrive without fans first waiting for the punch in the gut. But when that punch never came, renewed optimism flooded the streets of Cleveland.
Apparently, it made its way down to the lakefront, and FirstEnergy Stadium.
Fans of all pro teams now believe their team can win, including those of the Cleveland Browns — just not right now. Continue reading
By Nick Shook
Special to NFL.com
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Lynn Swann’s Pittsburgh Steelers sat atop professional football’s throne in America’s 200th year of existence, 1976. Coming off a 16-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX, the Steelers were the defending champions and one of football’s two most-popular franchises. Along with wide receiver John Stallworth, Swann was the star of a passing attack led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw.
Pittsburgh took the Miami Orange Bowl turf prepared to win a second straight world championship. At the other end of the field stood America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys. After three quarters, Dallas looked poised to take home the title.
An unseating of the reigning champions wasn’t going to come easy.
After kicking a 36-yard field goal to grab a slim 12-10 lead, Pittsburgh took the field with 4:25 left to play. The Steelers faced a third and 6 from their 36-yard line when Bradshaw dropped back and heaved a deep pass to Swann. The acrobatic receiver caught the ball at the 5-yard line as defensive back Mark Washington fell in a vain attempt at a tackle and Swann trotted into the end zone, tossing the ball over his shoulder and raising his arms in celebration.
Swann finished the game with 161 receiving yards and a touchdown, good for Super Bowl X Most Valuable Player.
Swann recalled the Steelers’ second world championship to Nick Shook at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August.
‘Well for us, it was staying in the routine. We had learned that from the first Super Bowl, that having a good routine helps youin your preparation. You don’t really have to think about a lot. You just stick to the routine, stick to the plan, and things will take care of themselves.’
By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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Jameis Winston celebrated his first-overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with his family in Bessemer, Alabama, on Thursday night.
There was a photo shoot in front of a giant wall graphic of him in his Seminoles uniform. There was a roped-off red carpet in the driveway.
And at the conclusion of the draft, the top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft commemorated the occasion by dining on none other than a handful of crab legs.
Yes, he really ate crab legs. Continue reading
By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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The 2015 schedule has been released. Fans across the world have already charted the exact path their respective teams will take to 14-2 (accounting for the trap game and close road loss) and a Super Bowl victory.
Take a deep breath. Smell that? The intoxicating scent in the air is that of optimism, and it’s running high for all 32 teams. Continue reading
Nick Shook of NFL.com joined 1590 WAKR-AM’s Sam Bourquin on The Sam Bourquin Show to talk about the Cleveland Browns’ grand uniform reveal. Click here to read WAKR’s full post online.
By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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CLEVELAND — While some of his most notable teammates were parading on a stage in fancy new duds, Johnny Manziel was more than one thousand miles away in Arlington, Texas, at a Texas Rangers game.
That didn’t keep his name out of questions asked after the uniform reveal at the Cleveland Convention Center on Tuesday night. Continue reading
By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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CLEVELAND — In an offseason filled mostly by Johnny Manziel headlines and low-excitement signings, the Cleveland Browns gave their fans a reason to cheer Tuesday for the first time since their final win of 2014.
Nearly 3,000 Browns supporters — a majority of which were season-ticket holders, according to the team — flowed into the Cleveland Convention Center to pose for pictures with super fans, current and past players, and even the team’s live canine mascot, Swagger. The scene — beer-clutching fans clad in orange and brown, chanting for their team — resembled an indoor tailgate as those in attendance awaited the main event: the introduction of new uniforms. Continue reading
By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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Charles Tillman suffered a season-ending triceps injury in Week 2 last season, but that isn’t keeping him from making a run at a 13th NFL campaign.
Tillman is set to visit the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of Tillman’s plans. ESPN Chicago first reported the news.
By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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One week after Kurt Warner sent the Internet into a temporary tizzy by teasing an NFL comeback, he is making a return to football — high school football.
The Super Bowl XXXIV Most Valuable Player is joining the coaching staff at Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, according to the Arizona Republic. Continue reading
By Nick Shook | NFL.com
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Erin Henderson spent the 2014 season out of the league, but he’s getting a chance to return.
The 28-year-old linebacker has signed with the New York Jets, the team announced on Wednesday. Continue reading
Nick Shook 