Browns Backers visit from Down Under

11.17.2009

Click here to check out an interview with the Backers from Australia!

Members of the Browns Backers Worldwide clubs from all over the United States and abroad have made regular pilgrimages to Cleveland for games and Berea for training camp sessions.

On Monday Night, the Steele brothers from the Royal Perth Browns Backers of Western Australia were in Cleveland to take in their first American football game as the Browns took on the Ravens.

"This is just incredible," Craig Steele said. "Everyone should experience this."

"For me, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," added Craig's younger brother Stuart. "It's magnificent."

As they watched players go through the warm-up sessions, the Steeles got an appreciation for the American style of play.

"It's pretty tough and the boys are going hard," said Craig. "I played rugby in Australia and practiced with the gridiron. I've never been as sore."

"I'm an Aussie Rules fan and the hits are what I like, the crunching, the big tackles," Stuart added.

Though they are members of the Royal Perth Browns Backers of Western Australia, the Steeles are from Tasmania. Tasmania is located at the Southern tip of Australia, more than 4,000 miles from Perth, Western Australia.

"The Browns Backers Worldwide really are worldwide," said Browns coordinator of fan avidity Melanie Eyerman. "I don't know how many other teams could say they have a club in Australia. To travel this far just to see their first live American football game is pretty amazing. It's very flattering."

Australia is about 16 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone and seeing Browns games on a Sunday afternoon is not always easy.

"We don't get much on TV, so we watch through the website and pull for the people," Craig said. "We've got a few friends that get together. We all go after different teams, but I'm going to have to do some networking to find out a few Browns supporters."

For the Steeles, taking part in a Monday Night game was something they wanted to experience.

"In wintertime, you plan a trip," said Stuart. "We planned a trip involving all of the other things, Monday Night's the big night in the NFL. We've got to come to this one."

"Since I started following American football, I've been a Browns fan," Craig said. "It was their rich history and the fans, including the Dawg Pound. I contacted the president of the Browns Backers and he said, ‘If you're going to do it, go to a Monday Night game.' It's the reason we came to Cleveland."