1980 Cleveland Browns season
Encyclopedia
The 1980
Cleveland Browns
season was the team's 31st season with the National Football League
.
For more details on the season, see Kardiac Kids
and Red Right 88
.
.
21
Week 8 (Home) – Browns 27, Pittsburgh Steelers
26
Week 9 (Home) – Browns 27, Chicago Bears
21
Week 11 (Away
)- Browns 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 16
Week 15 (Away
) – Browns 23, Minnesota Vikings
28
Week 16 (Away) – Browns 27, Cincinnati Bengals
24
at Cleveland Stadium
, Cleveland, Ohio
In a play that has become known as Red Right 88
, Raiders safety Mike Davis
intercepted Browns quarterback Brian Sipe
's pass in the end zone with 41 seconds left in the game to preserve Oakland's 14–12 victory. Instead of opting for a game-winning field goal, Cleveland decided to attempt a pass play because kicker Don Cockroft
had previously missed two field goal attempts, had another aborted following a bad snap, and had one extra point blocked.
1980 NFL season
The 1980 NFL season was the 61st regular season of the National Football League.After the league declined to approve the proposed move by the Raiders from Oakland, California to Los Angeles, the team along with the Los Angeles Coliseum sued the NFL for violating antitrust laws...
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was the team's 31st season with the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
For more details on the season, see Kardiac Kids
Kardiac Kids
The Kardiac Kids is a reference to the 1980 Cleveland Browns, who had a penchant for having games decided in the final moments. Finishing 11-5, the Browns captured their first division title since 1971, winning a tiebreaker with the Houston Oilers...
and Red Right 88
Red Right 88
Red Right 88 was the designation of a Cleveland Browns passing play that was called during the January 4, 1981 American Football Conference divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders; in the years since, the term has been used to refer to the game itself and its ending.Trailing 14-12 with...
.
NFL Draft
The following were selected in the 1980 NFL Draft1980 NFL Draft
The 1980 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 29–30, 1980. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and...
.
| Round | Overall | Player | Position | School/Club Team |
| 1 | 27 | Charles White Charles White (American football) Charles White is a former professional American football running back. He had a distinguished college career and later played in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams.-College football:... |
Running Back | USC |
| 2 | 54 | Cleveland Crosby | Defensive End | Wisconsin Arizona Wildcats football The Arizona Wildcats football team is the football team of the University of Arizona, located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level.-Early years:... |
| 3 | 72 | Cliff Odom Cliff Odom Cliff Odom was a former NFL football player. A third round draft choice in 1980, he played thirteen years in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore and Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins.... |
Linebacker | University of Texas at Arlington UT Arlington Mavericks football The UT Arlington Mavericks football team represented the University of Texas at Arlington from the 1959 through 1985 seasons. Between 1919 through 1958, UTA competed as a junior college prior to moving to Division II in 1959 and ultimately Division I in 1970... |
| 4 | 99 | Ron Crews | Nose Tackle | UNLV UNLV Rebels football The UNLV Rebels football program is a college football team that represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The team is currently a member of the Mountain West Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association... |
| 4 | 109 | Paul McDonald | Quarterback | USC |
| 5 | 116 | Elvis Franks Elvis Franks Elvis Franks is a former American football defensive end who played seven years in the National Football League.-Background:... |
Defensive End | Morgan State |
| 8 | 209 | Jeff Copeland | Linebacker | Texas Tech Texas Tech Red Raiders football Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
| 9 | 236 | Roy De Walt | Running Back | University of Texas at Arlington UT Arlington Mavericks football The UT Arlington Mavericks football team represented the University of Texas at Arlington from the 1959 through 1985 seasons. Between 1919 through 1958, UTA competed as a junior college prior to moving to Division II in 1959 and ultimately Division I in 1970... |
| 10 | 263 | Kevin Fidel | Center | San Diego State San Diego State Aztecs football The San Diego State football team represents the San Diego State Aztecs in college football. The Aztecs, a Division I FBS team and a member of the Mountain West Conference, play their home games at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The field is natural grass and has a maximum capacity of... |
| 11 | 294 | Roland Sales | Running Back | Arkansas Arkansas Razorbacks football The Arkansas Razorbacks football program is a college football team that represents the University of Arkansas. The team is a member of the Southeastern Conference's Western Division, which is in Division I's Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association... |
| 12 | 321 | Marcus Jackson | Defensive End | Purdue Purdue Boilermakers football The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of... |
Memorable moments
Week 7 (Home) – Browns 26, Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
21
- Facing a third and 20 from the Packers' 46 yard line with 16 seconds left, Brian SipeBrian SipeBrian Winfield Sipe is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League from 1984 to 1985....
completes a pass to Dave LoganDave Logan (American football)David Russell Logan is a former American football player. Logan played in nine National Football League seasons from 1976 to 1984, primarily for the Cleveland Browns...
for the winning touchdown.
Week 8 (Home) – Browns 27, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
26
- Sipe and company fight back from deficits of 10–0, 20–7, and 26–14 to defeat the Steelers in Cleveland. Ozzie NewsomeOzzie NewsomeOzzie Newsome Jr. and a 1974 graduate of Colbert County High School in Leighton, Alabama, is a former American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns, an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the current General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens.-College career:Before his NFL career,...
hauls in the winning catch with 5:35 to play.
Week 9 (Home) – Browns 27, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
21
- Although Mike PruittMike PruittMichael Pruitt is a former American football running back who played eleven seasons from 1976 to 1986 with the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League...
's 56-yard touchdown run ultimately wins the game for Cleveland, Sipe throws for 298 yards and reaches a milestone in Browns history, becoming the Browns' all-time passing leader.
Week 11 (Away
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
)- Browns 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 16
- Seeking their first ever win at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers StadiumThree Rivers StadiumThree Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
, the Browns are once again denied, this time on a Terry BradshawTerry BradshawTerry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League . He played 14 seasons. He is a football analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday...
to Lynn SwannLynn Swann-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
touchdown with eleven seconds left. It marks the Browns' 11th consecutive defeat at Pittsburgh.
Week 15 (Away
Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The area where the stadium once stood is now the site of the Mall of America...
) – Browns 23, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
28
- The Browns relinquish a 23–9 lead with only 7:15 remaining. The game is probably most remembered for Browns Safety Thom DardenThom DardenThomas Vincent Darden is a former American football cornerback, safety, and punt returner who played for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League . In the NFL, he was a three-time All-Pro free safety. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1978. He holds most Cleveland Browns franchise...
's deflection of Tommy KramerTommy KramerThomas Francis Kramer is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the NFL from 1977 to 1990...
's "Hail Mary passHail Mary passA Hail Mary pass or Hail Mary route in American football refers to any very long forward pass made in desperation with only a small chance of success, especially at or near the end of a half....
", which is caught by Ahmad RashadAhmad RashadAhmad Rashād is an American sportscaster and former professional football player. An All-American running back and wide receiver from Oregon known as Bobby Moore, Rashad was the fourth overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft, drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals...
as time expires. Kramer's 456 passing yards were the most ever given up by the Browns.
Week 16 (Away) – Browns 27, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
24
- Needing a win to secure the Central Division title, the Browns hold off the Bengals 27–24. Don CockroftDon CockroftDonald Lee Cockroft is a former American football punter and placekicker who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns...
's game winning field goal comes with 1:25 left to play.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7, 1980 | at New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
L 34–17 | |
| 2 | September 15, 1980 | Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
L 16–7 | |
| 3 | September 21, 1980 | Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
W 20–13 | |
| 4 | September 28, 1980 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West... |
W 34–27 | |
| 5 | October 5, 1980 | Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 19–16 | |
| 6 | October 12, 1980 | at Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... |
W 27–3 | |
| 7 | October 19, 1980 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
W 26–21 | |
| 8 | October 26, 1980 | Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
W 27–26 | |
| 9 | November 3, 1980 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 27–21 | |
| 10 | November 9, 1980 | at Baltimore Colts | W 28–27 | |
| 11 | November 16, 1980 | at Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
L 16–13 | |
| 12 | November 23, 1980 | Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... |
W 31–7 | |
| 13 | November 30, 1980 | at Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W 17–14 | |
| 14 | December 7, 1980 | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 17–14 | |
| 15 | December 14, 1980 | at Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
L 28–23 | |
| 16 | December 21, 1980 | at Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... |
W 27–24 | |
Standings
| AFC Central | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 357 | 310 |
| Houston Oilers 1980 Houston Oilers season The 1980 season was the Houston Oilers 21st season and their 11th in the NFL. The franchise scored 295 points while the defense gave up 251 points. Their record of 11 wins and 5 losses resulted in a second place finish in the AFC Central Division. The Oilers appeared twice on Monday Night Football.... |
11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 295 | 251 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers 1980 Pittsburgh Steelers season - Regular season :In 1980, the Steelers had their struggles. The aging defense wasn't as effective in 1978–79, falling from 2nd to 15th in yards allowed and 313 points, 15th in the league, up from 262 5th in the league, while only recording 18 QB sacks. The offense was still plagued with too many... |
9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 352 | 313 |
| Cincinnati Bengals 1980 Cincinnati Bengals season The 1980 Cincinnati Bengals season was the team's 13th year in professional football and its 11th with the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:-References:* * *... |
6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 244 | 312 |
Roster
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Tom DeLeone Thomas Denning DeLeone is a former American football center who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League, with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. He grew up in Kent, Ohio and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1968, where he was on the football, basketball,... C Cody Risien Cody Lewis Risien is a former American football offensive tackle who played eleven seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns... T Joe DeLamielleure Joseph Michael DeLamielleure is a former American football offensive lineman who was an All-American at Michigan State. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He won All-Rookie Honors, after finding out a physical condition with his irregular heartbeat was... G Henry Sheppard Henry Sheppard is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He played college football at SMU.... G Joel Patten John Lawrence "Joel" Patten II is a former professional football player who played tackle for seven seasons in the National Football League: for the Cleveland Browns in 1980, Indianapolis Colts in 1987-1988, San Diego Chargers in 1989-1990, and Los Angeles Raiders in 1991-1992... T Doug Dieken Douglas Heye Dieken is a former American football offensive tackle who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns.... T Gerry Sullivan Gerry Sullivan is a former professional American football player who was an offensive lineman for eight seasons for the Cleveland Browns.... T/C Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Don Goode Donald Ray Goode , was an NFL linebacker from 1974-1981. He went to Booker T. Washington High School. He played college football at the University of Kansas and was selected in the 1st round by the San Diego Chargers in the 1974 NFL Draft... OLB Dick Ambrose Dick Ambrose is a former American football linebacker who played nine seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns, from 1975 to 1983... ILB Bill Cowher William Laird "Bill" Cowher is a former American football coach and player. Cowher resigned after 15 seasons as the Steelers' coach on January 5, 2007, 11 months to the day after winning 2005–06's Super Bowl XL... ILB John Mohring John Mohring is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Alabama Steeldogs in 2007... LB Cliff Odom Cliff Odom was a former NFL football player. A third round draft choice in 1980, he played thirteen years in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore and Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins.... ILB Charlie Hall (linebacker) Charles Leslie Hall is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 1971 NFL Draft. He played college football at Houston.... OLB Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
 Rookies in italics |
|||
AFC Divisional Playoff
- Oakland Raiders 14, Cleveland Browns 12
at Cleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
, Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
- TV: NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
- Attendance: 77,655
In a play that has become known as Red Right 88
Red Right 88
Red Right 88 was the designation of a Cleveland Browns passing play that was called during the January 4, 1981 American Football Conference divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders; in the years since, the term has been used to refer to the game itself and its ending.Trailing 14-12 with...
, Raiders safety Mike Davis
Mike Davis (American football)
Michael Leonard Davis is a retired American football safety.-College career:Davis played college football at the University of Colorado.-Professional career:...
intercepted Browns quarterback Brian Sipe
Brian Sipe
Brian Winfield Sipe is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League from 1984 to 1985....
's pass in the end zone with 41 seconds left in the game to preserve Oakland's 14–12 victory. Instead of opting for a game-winning field goal, Cleveland decided to attempt a pass play because kicker Don Cockroft
Don Cockroft
Donald Lee Cockroft is a former American football punter and placekicker who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns...
had previously missed two field goal attempts, had another aborted following a bad snap, and had one extra point blocked.
Awards and records
- Brian SipeBrian SipeBrian Winfield Sipe is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League from 1984 to 1985....
, NFL MVP - Brian SipeBrian SipeBrian Winfield Sipe is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League from 1984 to 1985....
, PFWA MVP - Brian SipeBrian SipeBrian Winfield Sipe is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League from 1984 to 1985....
, UPI AFL-AFC Offensive Player of the Year - Brian Sipe, AFC Leader, Touchdown Passes (30), Tied with another player