The Cleveland Browns elf mascot, commonly known as "Chomps," has become an iconic symbol of the Cleveland Browns football team. Chomps is a friendly and energetic character that has been entertaining fans and representing the team since the mid-2000s. He is easily recognizable with his elf-like appearance, wearing the Browns' signature orange and brown colors. Chomps brings a sense of fun and excitement to Browns' games and events. He interacts with fans, dances, and performs various routines to keep the crowd engaged and entertained. In addition to game days, Chomps is often seen at community events, charity fundraisers, and school visits, spreading Browns' spirit throughout the local community.
History of the Brownie Elf
The story of Brownie the Elf the logo begins long before the Cleveland Browns adopted the little creature — long before the team even existed, in fact. “Brownies” date back to folklore, where they were elf-like creatures who helped out with household chores as long as you left them little goodies to eat (further background is available here, here, and here, and the cover illustration from a children’s tale entitled “Brownie and the Cook” can be seen here). Palmer Cox was one of the first artists to illustrate Brownie on a consistent basis in his cartoons. He began drawing and using the elves in advertising work that he produced for different companies, including Kodak.
All of which brings us, finally, to the Cleveland Browns.
The association of the elf and the gridiron Browns begins in the late 1940s with Arthur McBride, who was the team’s owner at the time. During a string of four incredibly successful seasons from 1946-49 (each of which resulted in an All American Football Conference championship), McBride sought to make his team more recognizable and marketable with music, parades, marching bands, and so on. He also asked for submissions for mascot logos, and after careful consideration chose Brownie as the new face of the team.
Brownie got an update around 1950 and looked like this until 1969. Alternate logos included an orange elf from 1950-69, and a halfback elf from 1960-69. After the Browns won the NFL title in 1964 (yes, it was that long ago, Cleveland fans), Brownie was often depicted with a crown signifying the team’s achievement.
Even representatives from the Cleveland Browns are befuddled as to the exact origin, date, and key figures in the creation of the logo (which made its first appearance in an ad for tickets to the 1946 opening game against the Miami Seahawks). However, many of the earliest versions of the elf are credited to Dick Dugan, who became the sports cartoonist for the Cleveland Plain Dealerand often depicted Brownie in battle against the team’s opponents, like theBroncos.
Cleveland fans loved the athletically inclined little creature with pointed shoes, whose image could be seen adorning various publications and advertisements (from both the team and the public), such as in this 1949 Media Guide.
So, what do you do with a logo that the fans love?
Well, if you’re Art Modell, you get rid of it. Apparently, Modell, who became the team’s owner in 1961, was completely embarrassed by the elf and hated it so much that in the mid-1960s he began to phase it out. Yes, in addition to taking the team from Cleveland, Modell also was responsible for putting the lovable Brownie on the unemployment line.
Thankfully, when the Browns were resurrected in 1999, Brownie got a new lease on life. New owner Randy Lerner has made a big push to use the elf logo more and more for the organization. “I think it’s a great anchor for our tradition and for the look and feel of the Browns,” he has said. “But I also understand that there is something to freshening up the act, so I think that’s a balancing act we’re having right now.”
As you can see from the team’s sideline ponchos, the organization is using Brownie in more ways than just for merchandise sales (although it’s clearly evident from the hats and shirts and fleeces that there is a definite push in that direction too). In fact, the Browns have used the elf logo on the 2006 Training Camp Patch celebrating the franchise’s 60th anniversary, and a throwback elf logo appears on the front of their 2006 Media Guide (here’s aclose-up view). Fans have embraced Brownie, too — one guy has gottenpermanent reminder of his allegiances.
While Brownie’s revival is welcome news, there’s one place that the elf should never appear, on the helmet (and thankfully, Lerner agrees). Paul Brown actually proposed this idea in 1953, but dismissed the idea after seeing mock-ups created by then trainer Leo Murphy. Good thing too, because the only thing that should ever be added to the team’s helmets are uniform numbers, like the ones the team wore with for a throwback game against the Bengals.
We’re generally pleased with Brownie’s reappearance. It adds a great traditional aspect to the team’s imagery, which meshes nicely with the more recent addition of the “Dawg” logo (but please, let’s not have them mesh likethis, ideas that belong in the same graveyard as this one).
Three other Brownie items of note:
• Brownie was also pressed into mascot duty by the St. Louis Browns baseball team just prior to their move to Baltimore (where they became the Orioles). During this brief run, Brownie appeared on the team’s jersey sleeve , on the cover of the team’s 1952 schedule, and even on the door to owner Bill Veeck’soffice.
• “Elf Brownie” is also the name of a typeface.
• Need a last-minute Christmas gift? Live near northeastern Ohio? You can get plenty of Brownie-related merchandise at the GPS Gift Gallery in Rocky River, Ohio, the self-proclaimed “Home of the Brownie Elf.”
Who Is Brownie The Elf? (Complete History)
The Cleveland Browns recently announced that their Brownie the Elf mascot would become the centerpiece at mid-field this year.
Many in the national media made fun of the design and mocked the Browns’ “new” addition.
Of course, Brownie is actually not new in Cleveland and has been part of the franchise since the beginning.
Here is a look back at the mascot’s origin and how it came to Cleveland.
In addition to game days, Chomps is often seen at community events, charity fundraisers, and school visits, spreading Browns' spirit throughout the local community. The creation of the Browns' elf mascot was influenced by the team's affiliation with the "Dawg Pound," a section of devoted fans known for their spirited and passionate support. Chomps embodies the enthusiasm and dedication of these fans, becoming a beloved figure within the Browns' fanbase.
Arthur McBride Wants a Mascot
As the Browns were forming in the mid-1940s, the team hired former Ohio State coach Paul Brown as their first head coach.
The team was named after him and began play in 1946.
Brown was not just a great coach, but an assembler of talent.
Loaded in all phases of the game, the franchise won the All-America Football Conference championship four years in a row.
It was near the beginning of this run that team owner Arthur McBride decided he wanted the Browns to become more marketable.
Since the team was named after a person, he desired something extra that the city and its fans could rally behind and identify with.
McBride asked the local community to help in designing a new mascot for the team and was deluged with several suggestions.
One of the ideas was an elf named Brownie and the idea was a hit.
Brownie was seen in team advertisements holding a football and decked out in pointed shoes with pointy ears.
From the late 1940s through the late 1960s, Brownie was used to promote the team in newspapers and didn’t change much in appearance.
At one point, Paul Brown thought having Brownie on the side of the team helmets would be a good idea.
The idea was shelved after the coach saw various artists’ sketches of what the helmets would look like.
When Cleveland won the 1964 NFL championship, a crown was added to Brownie’s head to mark the occasion.
Brownie’s origin story and involvement as part of team lore are special.
However, Brownie’s true origin comes much earlier and from a different country entirely.
With his playful personality and approachable charm, Chomps has become a lovable figure among Browns' fans of all ages. Whether it's high-fiving children or posing for photos with adults, he brings a sense of joy and camaraderie to every encounter. Chomps has also become a popular presence on social media, engaging with fans and sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of his experiences. Overall, the Cleveland Browns elf mascot, Chomps, is not only a symbol of team spirit but also a representation of the strong bond between the Browns and their fans. He adds an element of fun and excitement to games and events, creating memorable experiences for fans and fostering a sense of community..
Reviews for "Chomps: The Browns Elf Mascot Who Became a Legend"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I really didn't understand the purpose of the elf mascot for the Browns. It just seemed out of place and didn't add anything to the game or the team's brand. The elf costume seemed outdated and not very intimidating. Overall, it just felt like a forced addition to the team's identity and didn't resonate with me as a fan.
2. Melissa - 1/5 stars - The Browns' elf mascot is honestly cringe-worthy. It's hard to take the team seriously when they have a cartoonish character running around the field. I get that they were trying to create a unique identity, but it just doesn't work. It feels like a failed attempt at being cute or quirky, and instead comes off as cheesy and embarrassing. I hope they retire the elf mascot soon and find something more fitting for a professional football team.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the Browns, I was not a fan of the elf mascot. It felt like a cheap gimmick instead of a genuine representation of the team's identity. The mascot's presence during games was distracting and took away from the focus on the players and the game itself. It also seemed out of place, considering the team's history and the serious nature of football. I think the Browns could do better with their branding and should consider moving away from the elf mascot.
4. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While I understand that the Browns' elf mascot has a history and is loved by some fans, I personally didn't connect with it. It felt too cartoonish and didn't align with the intimidating nature of football. I prefer mascots that are more representative of the team's strength and spirit. However, I appreciate the effort to create a unique identity for the Browns and recognize that the elf mascot might hold sentimental value for some fans.