The Cleveland Browns have had a humiliating season. Not just with the 3-12 score, but the fans’ aggressive response when Dillon Gabriel appeared on the field against the Bills.

Fans in the stadium were unaware that starting quarterback Sheduer Sanders left the field to tend to his bleeding pinky finger. While the Browns were in the red zone, Dillon Gabriel came in to replace Sanders and was booed. 

Ken Carmen and Anthony Lima, hosts of 92.3 The Fan, are debating who the fans were actually booing. Did fans assume that Sanders was pulled out by head coach Kevin Stefanski in favor of Gabriel? Or are they furious with the quarterback? 

Carmen firmly believes Stefanski has lost the public’s support. On Monday, he claimed that the Dawg Pound wants to express its anger with Stefasnki for the quarterback issues this season. “You’re booing Dillon Gabriel, but I don’t think you’re booing Dillon Gabriel,” he stated. 

“I think you’re, they’re booing Kevin Stefanski when Dillon Gabriel comes out there.” 

On Sunday, against the Bills, Sanders started strong with a perfect five for five. He scored a touchdown with Harold Fannin Jr. and gained an early 7-0 lead for the Browns. Gabriel, on the other hand, was sacked almost immediately after attempting to play. 

Anthony Lima stressed that fans are upset with Gabriel and that he appeared on the field. “I don’t know. They had the whole game to boo Kevin Stefasnksi, they waited till Dillon Gariel came on field to boo.”

When it all started

Perhaps fans are still bitter about the “preference” he received. Earlier this season, Stefanski’s reluctance to start with Sanders made headlines.

A day later, Gabriel was named the starting quarterback, and Sanders gave his infamous wordless media session. He refused to speak up for any questions and mimed answers in a bizarre interaction with reporters. 

Many assumed this to be against the decision. 

No one knows who the real recipient of the gesture was. Carmen stressed that it is unclear who the fans are angry with. Especially since Stefanksi has shared his responsibilities with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. 

“But he’s not the one callin' plays. So can you boo that anymore?” Carmen questioned.

“Nobody knows whatcha booing at. And the game is competitive.”

Addressing how that moment was a low point amidst so many losses, Lima expressed his confusion. “It was weird,” he said. 

“It was bizarre. That was not a good moment for Browns’ fans that were there.” 

Lima further pointed out that Gabriel was filling in out of necessity. He expressed his disappointment with Gabriel’s treatment.

“Under no scenario does it make sense to boo the quarterback coming in for the injured quarterback leaves.” “He has been nothing but, on all accounts, a great teammate, a great person, he’s never said anything bad about Shedeur.”

Both the hosts remained split over this issue. But the fact of the matter remains that Browns’ fans are unhappy and not afraid to make it known.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu