The Internet never needs a reason to argue, but on Monday, the Cleveland Browns gave it a new one:
They announced the winner of their new dawg logo contest (determined by fan and player vote), and the reaction was predictably polarized.
Cleveland Browns Logo: Fan Reaction Mixed
The winning submission, which was created by graphics designer Houston Mark, received the most votes of the two finalists. Mark set out to create an image that displayed the intensity and passion of one of the league’s fan bases. And the majority of voters agreed with him.
“We are so excited to unveil a new dawg logo that perfectly encapsulates who we are as a franchise and as a city,” Browns executive vice president JW Johnson said in a news release. “Our fans have been asking us for a new dawg logo for quite some time, so it made perfect sense for them to select the logo themselves and decide how they want our team to be represented — and they made a great choice.”
Mark gave a unique take on a bullmastiff dog that incorporated eight different hidden symbols that gave the logo a very Cleveland meaning.
Look closely, and you’ll see the state of Ohio, a football, the original Dawg Pound in Cleveland Municipal Stadium’s east end zone, a guitar pick, spikes, Cleveland’s Hope Memorial Bridge, a Pound Helmet, and a helmet stripe.
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“The thing I really wanted to focus on was the fans and the relationship they have with the team,” Mark said. “How can I make the Cleveland Browns fanbase the forefront of the design while also maintaining this aggressive, no-nonsense attitude?
“There was a lot of stuff in there I wanted to incorporate because there’s so much history to Browns fandom in particular. It was really important for me to honor and respect the history of the fanbase, the championships, and the pride that comes with being a fan.”
NFL Fans React to Browns’ Dawg Logo
The reaction to this change, like most any change, was mixed on Twitter.
Here’s a sampling of some of the most interesting and/or insulting:
“DARTH DAWG FOREVER” — Nick Karns (@karnsies817)
“at first you think his mouth is closed but then you realize he is screaming perpetually” — Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub)
“Ehhh, it’s alright. Like the Guardians ‘FastBall G’ logo, I’m not spending my money on that logo for me #DawgPound” — Nick Paulus (@NickPaulus)
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“It’s certainly a mean looking dog” — Offseason Chopz (@Pchopz_)
“The Browns are slowly becoming an XFL team 💀🤣” — Khan Artist (@HereComesOmar)
“Legends of the Hidden Kennel” — Mike Golic Jr. (@mikegolicjr)
“Let your eyes relax and stare at this for 30 seconds, and you’ll see the Steelers beating our ass again.” — OctoDad (@RubberBandMan99)
“The reason the eyes are closed is so he doesn’t have to watch the Browns play” — Shane Rodrigues (@SRodrigues52)
