Bleeding orange and brown

HURON — Through the few highs and many, many lows, Mark Giaco remains loyal to the Cleveland Browns. As a child, he enjoyed watching football. Mark attended his first Browns game when he was 8 years old, and that experience at Cleveland Municipal Stadium led him to become a Browns fan. "I bleed brown and orange," Mark said. "It's in my soul." A lot of Mark's wardrobe includes Browns attire. Even when the team had a record of 0-16 in 2017, he continued to display his devotion. To be a Browns fan, a person needs tough skin and a sense of humor, Mark said. He has both. Mark and his wife, Karen, are originally from Parma, but they've lived in Huron for about 30 years. They've been season ticket holders since 1999 when Cleveland brought back the Browns as an expansion team. The spouses spend a lot of time in Cleveland, which is why they also have a condo in the Warehouse District. It's decorated with tons of Browns memorabilia including autographed footballs and jerseys. The Giacos host "condogating," an indoor version of tailgating with family and friends before walking two blocks to the stadium for the game. The couple's three daughters — Angela, Sarah and Leah — inherited their parents' fandom. Mark said he appreciates their loyalty through all the team's losses. The Giacos' sons-in-law, along with all of the grandchildren are also Browns fans. "It's in our blood," Mark said. "We just love the Browns." Mark has many memories at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, especially when Bernie Kosar was quarterback. It was a thrilling time for fans. When the Browns moved to Baltimore, Mark described it as one of the calmest times in his life because he didn't have to worry about them losing. He just rooted for whichever team played against the Steelers. Mark wants to experience the excitement he felt in the 1980s with this season, but he needs to remain even-keeled. "If you get too pumped up, there's the possibility of crashing that much harder," he said. Nick Chubb is Mark's favorite player, and he was sick to his stomach when the running back suffered a season-ending injury in September. With all the injuries the Browns have encountered this season, the team making the playoffs is a phenomenon — and it's been crazy to watch, Mark said. He gives Browns coach Kevin Stefanski a lot of credit. "Right now, these guys are defying the odds," Mark said. "You've got to love (quarterback Joe) Flacco. He's an MVP and has won a Super Bowl (with the Baltimore Ravens). He knows how to win. It's one game at a time, but his experience has to be good." The Browns haven't made it to the Super Bowl. Mark wants to see the team win the whole thing during his lifetime. "It's hard and discouraging at times, but when the day comes, and we actually win it, all of that will be worth it," he said. Mark and his wife were in downtown Cleveland when the Cavaliers won the NBA championship in 2016. They also attended the celebratory parade. Mark said the atmosphere was tremendous, and it felt surreal. "I think the Browns winning the Super Bowl would be bigger than that," Mark said. "I can't imagine what the town would be like, but I'd love to experience it."