FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-26             7/14/99

"Helmets on…buckle ‘em up!"

That order by coaches is about to be heard from Davie, Florida to Cheney, Washington in the next few weeks as NFL training camps open across the U.S. But it will be first heard, appropriately, in Berea, Ohio as the NFL’s newest team, the expansion Cleveland Browns, become the first NFL club to report to camp on Wednesday, July 21.

That day, rookies report to the Browns’ Berea headquarters, to be followed three days later by veterans. Following both groups – closely – will be an expected daily turnout of 4,500 fans. The Browns, after all, are the first expansion team with a history, and come equipped with a built-in fan base.

Every Browns practice will be open to the public, but to reduce traffic on Lou Groza Boulevard leading to the team’s training-camp site, fans will be shuttle-bussed from parking lots at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds two miles away.

"The whole idea is to make our training experience available to as many fans as possible," says Browns President CARMEN POLICY.

The club will save some of its 4,500 daily seats for fans traveling long distances to witness the return of their favorite team. A hot-line will be set up to report the number of seats still available for each day’s practice.

Browns players ranging from the NFL’s No. 1 overall draft choice, quarterback TIM COUCH, to veteran linebacker CHRIS SPIELMAN, will get a specially prepared history lesson on the team.

Head coach CHRIS PALMER has had the club’s video director put together a tape on Browns history that will be shown to all players early in camp.

"It’s important for our players to realize the responsibility they have with the tradition of the Browns," says Palmer. "We want them to know what is expected of them, and we feel it’s our responsibility to help them understand."

Spielman can probably recite Browns history verbatim. He grew up a Browns fan in Massillon, Ohio and played at legendary high school powerhouse Massillon Washington High, whose most renowned coach (80-8-2, .909, six state/four national championships from 1932-40) was PAUL BROWN, architect of the original Cleveland Browns franchise.

On Monday night, August 9, Spielman and the reborn Browns will get their first taste of NFL action when they take on the Dallas Cowboys in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, birthplace of pro football. It will be the first Hall of Fame game played on a Monday night (ABC-TV, 8:00 PM ET) and will culminate an 11-day series of events in Canton revolving around the August 7 induction of this year’s Hall of Fame class of ’99 – former Brown OZZIE NEWSOME, ERIC DICKERSON, TOM MACK, BILLY SHAW and LAWRENCE TAYLOR.

The first of 11 nationally televised preseason games takes place on August 7 (FOX-TV, 9:00 PM ET) in the first American Bowl to be played in Australia. The Super Bowl XXXIII champion Denver Broncos face the San Diego Chargers in Sydney.

The Browns encamp at one of four new training sites for NFL teams this summer. The Atlanta Falcons will train at

Last year, the Denver Broncos won their second consecutive Super Bowl, fueled by the heroics of JOHN ELWAY in his final NFL season…TERRELL DAVIS’ 2,008-yard rushing season…and perhaps the 3,120 pounds of beef the team consumed in training camp in Greeley, Colorado.

Not only does the Army move on its stomach, so, too, do NFL teams – especially in the dog days and two-a-days of training camp.

"The Broncos love everything we put out," says HAL BROWN, assistant director of dining services at the University of Northern Colorado, site of Denver’s training camp. "SHANNON SHARPE loves tuna, especially tuna fish sandwiches at lunchtime." A sampling of the food and amounts the Broncos are expected to consume in training camp from July 23 to August 19, as provided by Brown:

What’s On The Menu?

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Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina; the Indianapolis Colts at Rose-Hulman Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana; and the Tennessee Titans at their Bellevue Practice Facility in Nashville, Tennessee.

Communities hosting NFL training camps have annually enjoyed a summer economic boost.

"For the Terry Haute community and Rose-Hulman, it’ll be great," says PAT O’LEARY, an assistant coach in the Vigo County Youth Football League. "We’ll get some national recognition from the Colts being here. The economic boost in July and August will be good too."

Stockton, California, whose University of the Pacific hosted the San Francisco 49ers last year for the first time, realized an approximate $5 million influx into its economy. Wichita Falls, Texas, now in its second year as summer home of the Cowboys, also enjoyed nearly a $5 million economic surge. And Wisconsin officials estimate that its "Cheese League," made up of four cities that host NFL training camps, brings in at least $15-20 million to its treasury annually.

Plus NFL training camps give fans the chance to get close to their heroes and the sport. At St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin, youngsters give the Green Bay Packers rides to practice on their bicycles. In Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Eagles at Lehigh University in Bethlehem and the Pittsburgh Steelers at St. Vincent College in Latrobe both host a mini "NFL Experience," the annual Super Bowl interactive fan-participation exhibit.

At Saginaw Valley State in Saginaw, Michigan, the Detroit Lions, have an "autograph tent" that players attend post-practice. A regular in the Lions’ tent is nine-year-old JUSTIN DOAN of Reese, Michigan.

"I like all the free stuff," says Justin. "And getting autographs."