By now, most of you know that former Browns quarterback Derek Anderson has ripped Cleveland fans, said they don't deserve a title, backtracked and, of course, issued astatement regretting his initial comments.
That raises the question: Shouldn't players have the right to speak honestly about fans without having to hold their tongue or issue the insincere apology that always seems to follow? Must the onlyacceptable quote from a player be that tired cliche, "We have the greatest fans in the world!"?
Anderson was still angry about being released by the Browns Tuesday when hetold Willoughby News-Heraldreporter Jeff Schudel, "The fans are ruthless and don't deserve a winner . I will never forget getting cheered when I was injured. I know at times I wasn't great. I hope and pray I'm playing when my team comes to town and (we) roll them."
This morning, Anderson issued a statement saying, "I said some things to [News-Herald reporter] Jeff Schudel earlier that I regret. Those of you who got to know me personally from covering the Browns over the past five years, know this was out of character for me. I wasn't taken out of context, but I was speaking out of frustration after my career with the Browns came to a close. I had some great times playing in Cleveland, especially during the 2007 season, and I met some great people and made many lifelong friends along the way.I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life."
Personally, I don't think Anderson has to regret saying anything. I was at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Nov. 30, 2008 when fans cheered Anderson's injury against the Colts. I also was in old Cleveland Stadium in the late 70s when we all cheered Mike Phipp's injury because it meant Brian Sipe would get a chance to play.
Cleveland fans are ruthless, and they've been ruthless for decades. Heck, they made poorTim Couch cry for gosh sakes.Then again, aren't most fans ruthless? Show me a fan base that isn't ruthless and I'll show you a fan base no bigger than the Timberwolves'.
The other half of Anderson's statement -- that Cleveland fans don't deserve a winner -- is wrong. Cleveland's last championship of any kind came in 1964 when the Browns won the NFL title. That was 46 years ago, which means someone would have to be in his or her50s toremember the last time Cleveland won anything.
Try that thought on for size the next time you complain that the Twin Cities hasn't won anything since 1991.