The NFL Browns mascot, officially known as "Chomps", represents the Cleveland Browns football team. Chomps is a dawg, a term often associated with the team and its fanbase. The mascot is depicted as an anthropomorphic brown dog wearing a Browns jersey with the number 00 on it. Chomps has become an iconic figure for the Browns, appearing at their home games to entertain and engage with fans. The mascot interacts with the crowd, performs various acrobatic stunts, and participates in on-field activities during halftime shows. Chomps often engages in playful antics, encouraging fans to cheer for the team and boosting team spirit.

Who is the Cleveland Browns' mascot, Brownie the Elf?

Brownie the Elf has been the official mascot of the Cleveland Browns since the franchise was created. Prior to the Browns' existence in Cleveland, the Rams were the NFL team occupying the city. They decided to move to California following the 1945 NFL season. This opened the door for the Browns to start a brand new franchise in the vacant city.

The Cleveland Browns were officially formed in 1946. Original owner Mickey McBride decided to join the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) rather than the NFL for their inaugural season. One of the first major moves made by McBride was hiring Paul Brown to be their head coach. He was an established football legend in the state of Ohio, so it was a popular move among Cleveland fans.

Fans often referred to the new Cleveland football franchise as "Paul Brown's Team" prior to them selecting an official team name. This led McBride to brand the Browns after the already popular adopted name, while also honoring the legendary face of their franchise, Paul Brown. The only thing missing now was the mascot.

McBride decided on Brownie the Elf to represent the Cleveland Browns as the team's official mascot. He admitted that having a mascot was a wise business decision, allowing many branding opportunities, including selling merchandise.

He reportedly sorted through many potential options, but landed on Brownie the Elf, a character from English folklore.

Chomps often engages in playful antics, encouraging fans to cheer for the team and boosting team spirit. The choice of a dog as the Browns mascot is significant because the term "dawg pound" is used to refer to the team's dedicated and passionate fans. The Browns have always emphasized the importance of their fanbase and the connection they share with them, which is why Chomps plays a vital role as the team's mascot.

What's the story and meaning behind Brownie the Elf?

According to old English folklore, apparently originating in Northern England, the Brownies were elves that lived inside people's homes.

They only came out at night while everyone else was sleeping to do household chores and assist with farm work. As legend goes, the family would leave out a bowl of fresh cream as a payment to the Brownies for their services.

Those who believed in the existence of the Brownies in their homes also believed it was wise to continue to keep them happy. As long as they received their cream, they would continue assisting with the work around the house and on the farm. This was beneficial for the family they lived with.

The Brownies were also rumored to leave the household if they were ever shown disrespect as they also had the ability to disappear. This unique legend from English folklore is where McBride landed the mascot for the Cleveland Browns.

He allegedly feels the name Brownies fit well with the Browns team name he selected. The elves were also popular and loved figures, which he was hoping his team would also be. "Brownie" was slightly tweaked to "Brownie the Elf" and the franchise's mascot was born.

Brownie the Elf: Meet the Cleveland Browns' new old mascot

File: Cleveland Browns mascot Brownie the Elf waves to the fans during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bills 19-16. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Browns, one of the NFL’s oldest and most storied franchises, are famous for having the only logo-less helmet. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have a mascot.

Brownie the Elf is getting renewed attention this season after fans voted put him front and center on their home field. A giant version of the old mascot has replaced the Browns helmet on the FirstEnergy Stadium midfield turf.

If you don’t live in Northeast Ohio, you may be unfamiliar with Brownie. But the character actually dates back to the team’s debut in 1946; he was used in ads and media guides for years as the Browns won title after title. Legendary coach Paul Brown even toyed with the idea of adding him to the team’s helmets, but never did.

After Art Modell bought the team in 1961, he began to phase out the mascot. When he moved the team to Baltimore in 1995, the team’s legacy – and Brownie – remained in Cleveland, ready for a rebirth.

Brownie has been used more frequently in Browns merchandise and marketing materials in recent years, and has sometimes walked the sideline as a mascot. But this may be the first time a national football audience has seen him in decades.

"Brownie has been around for a long time," offered JW Johnson, Browns executive vice president and partner. "I think people enjoy him, and we haven't really showcased him as much as we'd like to."

The version on the field looks a little tougher and more aggressive than the more familiar smiling version that the team traditionally featured.

The new-look logo and field will debut during this weekend’s home opener. The Browns, who held off a furious comeback by the Panthers in Week 1, will host the Jets at 1 p.m.

This story was reported from Tampa, Fla.

What is the Cleveland Browns’ mascot?

THE Cleveland Browns are one of the biggest and oldest teams in the NFL having been founded in 1944.

And one character, who has been the symbol of the franchise since the very early days, is mascot Brownie the Elf – who still cheers on the team today.

Chomps also actively participates in community events and outreach programs. The mascot visits schools, hospitals, and other organizations, bringing joy and enthusiasm to fans of all ages. Chomps represents the team's commitment to giving back to the community and creating a positive impact beyond the football field. Overall, the NFL Browns mascot, Chomps, serves as a symbol of team spirit, community involvement, and entertainment for fans. The likable and energetic dawg brings cheer and excitement to both home games and community events, solidifying the bond between the Cleveland Browns and their loyal supporters..

Reviews for "From Chubby to Chomps: The Evolution of the Cleveland Browns Mascot"

- Sarah - 1 star

I was really disappointed with the NFL Browns mascot. I thought it was going to be fun and energetic, but it turned out to be just a guy in a boring brown suit. There was no creativity or excitement to the mascot's performance. It felt like a missed opportunity to engage the fans and bring some excitement to the game. Overall, I think the NFL Browns mascot is a letdown and could use some major improvements.

- John - 2 stars

The NFL Browns mascot was a bit underwhelming for me. While the costume looked cute and well-made, the mascot's performance was lacking energy and interaction with the crowd. The mascot simply stood on the sideline, waving occasionally, without much enthusiasm. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a fun and engaging atmosphere. I hope the NFL Browns can work on improving their mascot to bring more excitement to the games.

- Emily - 1 star

I found the NFL Browns mascot to be quite underwhelming. It lacked creativity and excitement, and I was expecting more from a professional team's mascot. The mascot's performance was dull and had no impact on the overall game experience. It felt like the team put no effort into creating a memorable and engaging mascot. I was truly disappointed, and I hope the NFL Browns can step up their game when it comes to their mascot.

A Closer Look at Chomps: The Ultimate Cleveland Browns Superfan