Members of the 1964 Cleveland Browns -- Jim Brown, Gary Collins and Walter Beach -- are thankful that drought is over for city of Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The city of Cleveland will stage a parade Wednesday to celebrate the Cavaliers winning the city's first championship since the Browns in 1964. While fans loved the Browns title in '64, it was nothing like what's happening around town now.
"The city of Cleveland has gone crazy and that's wonderful," said Gary Collins, former Browns receiver and MVP of the 1964 championship game.
After the Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 to win the NBA title on Sunday, an estimated 20,000 fans greeted the team when it arrived at the airport on Monday.
Cleveland fans have suffered through the 52-year championship drought and a long list of postseason and championship mishaps that helped fuel the ESPN 30-for-30 documentary "Believeland."
There are not enough hotel rooms in Cleveland to contain the projected volume of participants on tap for Wednesday's parade. Word has it that many celebrities will come to town to join the frenzy of fans expected to lock down the city.
The celebration in '64 after the Browns beat the Baltimore Colts, 27-0, on a cold and windy day at old Cleveland Stadium was held that same night in a ballroom at the Hotel Sheraton Cleveland on Public Square. It was an invitation-only affair that included Ohio Gov. James Rhodes and Cleveland Mayor Ralph Locher, players and members of their family.
"Times have changed," Collins said. "That game was in Cleveland and it wasn't even on television in the city. All we had was a big party at the Sheraton. I was back in my hometown the next afternoon."
Former NFL great Jim Brown, a member of the '64 championship team, will attend Wednesday's parade, giving the legend a unique experience as he will participate in a parade for the first time. Brown was invited by the Cavaliers through his friend, businessman Bruce Zoland, a life-long supporter of Cleveland sports.
"My wife and I see attending the parade as a way to show our respect because we're lovers of Cleveland and their fans," Brown said. "Coming to the parade also helps us to represent the '64 team in a way."
Brown made clear that although he could be the lone member to represent the team on Wednesday, it by no means elevates him over his teammates.
"Our victory was a team effort," Brown said. "All of those players allowed us to defeat the Colts. Many people will think about that championship thing and me. But it wasn't me, it was everybody."
Brown witnessed the end of the drought last Sunday from his home in Los Angeles, and James' play confirmed what Brown already knew about the MVP.
"I'm so happy for Cleveland," said Brown, who rushed for 114 yards in the '64 title game. "The level LeBron went to was unprecedented. He gave his all. He had to go deep down inside to make this happen. This title by the Cavaliers is really wonderful. "
Now that James has delivered on his promise, how should the city honor its latest hero ... maybe a statue or re-name a street?
"The city has already honored him by their tremendous support, jubilation and by their expression of appreciation," Brown said. "Nothing can top that because that's spontaneous and genuine.
"Other than that, any other way the city decides to honor him is deserved. The goal has been accomplished. LeBron's greatness has been established. The doubters can't doubt any more. What [type of honor] can top that?"
Collins joked about the original expansion Cavs in 1970, one of the all-time worst teams in NBA history.
"They were losing back then as an expansion team, so we didn't want them coming into our locker room," said a laughing Collins. "We didn't want that to rub off on us."
Former defensive back Walter Beach was on top of his game 52 years ago as he helped lead the defense to a shutout over one of the greatest offenses in NFL history in QB Johnny Unitas, running back Lenny Moore, tight end John Mackey and wide receiver Raymond Berry. Beach held Berry, a Hall of Famer, to 38 yards on three receptions.
"The Colts were the highest-scoring team in the league in '64," Beach said. "We took them out of their game like how LeBron James took Golden State out of their game."
Beach plans to attend the parade.
"I'm very pleased for the city but I'm pleased more for LeBron," Beach said. "He has a unique personality that I'd like to see in more young black men. He has integrity, perseverance, hard work and a whole level of sincerity in what he sees his mission to be. LeBron is why I want to attend the parade."
