I asked fans of a mystery NFL franchise to describe what it feels like to cheer for their team. “Kicked in the groin, repeatedly,” was the most common answer. Can you guess the team?Inside: Yes, it’s the Browns. More on that next, plus: New QB-playcaller pairings of interest and thoughts on whether the remodeled Chiefs are back in business.This article is from The Athletic’s NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox.Cleveland’s Factory of SadnessBeing a sports fan in Cleveland is not for the faint of heart.Sure, the baseball team is doing well. And yes, you can distract yourself at one of many golf courses, enjoy a meal at Cordelia’s (one of the best I, a Canadian, have had in America) or admire stunning architecture. The Cavaliers often offer respite, though after Game 1 those wounds are too fresh to dig into here.The Browns? They are why you need a distraction. I recently asked those fans to explain how it feels to cheer for the worst (by a lot) NFL team of the 21st century. The Browns have been so bad that even if they go 17-0 in 2026, they will still be 32nd in this list.Before I share what we heard from Browns fans … you might’ve also noticed that the Cowboys have had the NFL’s best winning percentage among teams without a Super Bowl this century. Not sure that’s a good thing.(Dallas fans, what’s it like to cheer for “America’s Team”? Share your thoughts here.)If you need inspiration or just a laugh, here’s what Browns fans wrote in:“Being a Browns fan is watching a horrible movie that you’ve already seen 50 times, because you hold onto the hope the studio filmed an alternate ending.” — Todd B.“Like getting a new dog that gets hit by a big rig, season after season.” — Zander V.“Burning your tongue on a hot piece of pizza and then taking another bite immediately after.” — Rick F.“Like trying to recover from a hangover and stepping on your kids’ Lego blocks.” — Tom P.“Imagine you’re a carpenter by trade. Every day, you go to work and swing a hammer, and 95 percent of the time, you hit your thumb.” — Dave T.My personal favorite, from Corey E.:“It’s like being the kid in school who never gets invited to the cool party. Every year, you tell yourself, ‘This is the year it finally happens.’ You change your look, style and taste in music. Read books on how to make friends, learn some jokes, etc. Nothing works.“You used to be invited all the time, before your school was unceremoniously moved to Baltimore and you had to attend the new school rebuilt on a bad foundation. But now you’re stuck there, and you’ve gone through 42 wingmen.