🏈 Cleveland Browns Home Opener: Sun, Burgers, and a Little Heartbreak

We didn’t plan to go, and we definitely didn’t plan to melt in the sun, but Anthony and I ended up at the Cleveland Browns home opener today (instead of church 🫣).

The high was only 65°, so we dressed in layers like smart Browns fans. I had my sweatshirt. Anthony brought his jacket. But once we got to our seats, Section 127, Row 24, the sun had other plans. No clouds. No shade. Just heat beaming off the lake and cooking us from every direction. I had to take off my sweatshirt, and Anthony took off his jacket, too.

Honestly, I should’ve remembered. The lower bowl gets hot. This isn’t our first game… just our first game while pregnant. 😅

🚶🏾‍♀️Pregnant, Sober, and Getting My Steps In

Being sober at a Browns game? New territory.

Usually, there’s a drink in hand and a pre-game buzz. But with baby Chi due in exactly 90 days, things are a little different this season and that’s okay. We parked for free, which was a win (especially downtown on game day), but we had to walk a little over a mile to the stadium.

Still, the 30-minute walk never feels long. You’re surrounded by other fans heading in the same direction, jerseys on, music playing, people laughing, and it’s actually kind of fun. Good exercise for mama-to-be, too.

🍔 Let’s Talk Stadium Food…

Since this was a last-minute decision, we didn’t eat before heading down. And while we usually try to dodge stadium prices, hunger hit hard. So we gave in and I’m so glad we did.

We tried Mabel’s BBQ, where they serve Michael Symon’s smash burgers.

I ordered the double cheeseburger, and Anthony got the one with bacon onion jam (that burger deserved its own highlight reel). The bacon wasn’t just sprinkled on — it was thick, bite-sized pieces. I tasted his, then casually snuck some of the bacon off his and added it to mine. No regrets.

🎟️ Game Time Hacks

We got our seats last minute using resale apps like Ticketmaster and StubHub and paid just $143 per ticket. I almost scored $129 tickets (including fees), but someone beat me to It. This was 30 minutes before kickoff, so we’re talking major deals.

Some Bengals fans we met on the way in mentioned the GameTime app — which is made specifically for those last-minute steals. Good to know for next time.

🧡 About the Game…

Now, let’s get this out of the way: the Browns lost.

And while I usually feel like their good luck charm (they tend to win when I show up), today the magic didn’t work.

But here’s who I’m blaming: the front office.

They cut Dustin Hopkins, our kicker and one of the biggest reasons we won games last season. We missed an extra point and field goal today that could’ve sealed the game

So no; it’s not on me. It’s on them. 🙃

💛 Final Thoughts

Unplanned days like this are sometimes the best.

We got sunburnt. We ate good. We walked, we laughed, we people-watched, and we made a memory, all while counting down the final weeks until we meet our baby girl.

And next time? We’ll remember to dress for the sun, eat before we go, and always double-check for kicker trades.

Love,

Jazmyn Moses