NFL Week 1 and the Helmet Throw That Cost the Cleveland Browns a Game

A new NFL season is underway and, just like that, Week 1 is in the books. How are you feeling? Riding the high of a huge win? Proclaiming that the season is over and throwing your team’s jersey in the nearest trash can? Overreacting to losses, especially in the NFL, is a time-honored tradition. In reality, nothing is ever quite as good or as bad as it seems…yet. In some cases, though, losses really can be as bad as they seem. That was certainly the case for the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 of the 2002 season, when an over-exuberant Dwayne Rudd threw his helmet in celebration and helped snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. On today’s show, I relive that infamous moment with Nick Kostos, along with a bunch of other seismic NFL losses. Some were every bit as devastating as they seemed at the time. Others, as Nick points out, aren’t as bad once you add a little bit of context. What’s the worst NFL loss you’ve ever experienced? Let me know in the comments! Welcome to Episode 012 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here. Subscribe for new episodes of REAL DEAL every Tuesday. You can also listen on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.