ESPN had a terrible reach regarding the Browns and a costly fumble Sunday.
The Cleveland Browns suffered a terrible break Sunday courtesy of one of the most frustrating rules in the NFL. Browns receiver Rashard Higgins extended the ball near the end zone, took a shot to the head, and fumbled out of the end zone before crossing the plane.
The play was ruled a touchback and the missed score may have made the ultimate difference in the game for the Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs. The fumble was brutal, but occurred in the first half and the Browns were able to bounce back and fight. Leave it to ESPN to come up with a terrible stretch for a tweet that should be roasted into oblivion.
The Browns' fumble at the 1-yard line of a playoff game occurred much earlier in the contest...but otherwise, today's costly Rashard Higgins fumble held some eerie similarities to Earnest Byner's fumble that occurred 33 years to the day. pic.twitter.com/rRWYkftuTb
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 17, 2021
Not all Browns fumbles are equal
This is an outrageous reach. ESPN is trying to compare this fumble to The Fumble. One of the most infamous plays in Browns history came in January 1988 when Earnest Byner fumbled the ball when going in for a late, game-tying score. The team was within reach of going to overtime with a shot to reach the Super Bowl when disaster struck.
Higgins’ play came in the first half and was after a clear hit to the head that was not called. This was also in the Divisional Round and the obvious reasons why this is a reach go on and on. Fans quickly roasted whoever hit send on this bad tweet.
This is a reach. pic.twitter.com/qWRVDILLUu
— Ⓜⓐⓣⓣ Ⓖⓔⓞⓡⓖⓔ Ⓜⓞⓞⓡⓔ (@MattGeorgeMoore) January 17, 2021
Just hilarious ESPN, thanks for that. Never mind the fact that there should have been a flag on the play, but whatever keep coming at Ohio.
— Derek West (@dwest529) January 18, 2021
With this logic ESPN would be comparing anything remotely similar to some of the most iconic plays in NFL history. A Seattle Seahawks interception? Well, they did throw one on the goal line with the Super Bowl on the line. Is that comparable in all situations?
Byner was actually at the 3 when the ball came out...But yeah if the Browns fumble inside the 5 on January 17th anytime every then its time to bring up similarities.
— Aunerray C. {RAY} (@RayVC37) January 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/FearThePegasus/status/1350947450106900481
ESPN has spent years reminding Cleveland fans about all the worst moments in the city’s sports history. The fact the team is now good should mean the Worldwide Leader will be called out when making these lazy reaches from now on.