Thank you for sending me your book and for making time for me today. How a cavs title helps earnest byner heal from the fumble. Autographed earnest byner photograph the fumble framed. After the fumble, byner went on to log 10 more seasons in the nfl, including two with the redskins that saw him clear.
Denver recovered, gave the browns an intentional safety, and went on to win 3833. Earnest byners emotional apology brings believeland to life. The curse was lifted and grip of the fumble loosened a little more. In american football, the fumble refers to a play in the afc championship. He even wrote a book about it, entitled everybody fumbles, appropriately enough. Its almost like going through a tragic incident in your life, byner. Cleveland hasnt gotten over it, and neither has byner. Minutes before, the broncos john elway had staged a patented gamewinning. The running back, whose late fumble in the afc championship game in 1987 cost the browns a shot at the super bowl, has embraced his place in the citys sports lore making it easy for. Earnest byner s fumble recovery is by far his most impressive play ive had the pleasure of meeting eb here in nc and even play a round of golf with him and watch a couple browns.
By the end of the film, byner had become the hero because he had given us a window almost no athlete ever does. Cleveland earnest byner didnt plan to tear up, didnt plan to look into the. Earnest byner s fumble ends browns rally as broncos. Any rabid nfl fan will tell you that it was the turning point of the afc championship game between the cleveland browns and the denver broncos on january 17, 1988 at denvers mile high stadium with 1. Kosar connected with earnest byner on several pass plays and byner ran the ball for a first down to denvers. Tony grossi covers the cleveland browns for espn 850 wknr. The play, now known simply as the fumble, became the play for which byner is best. Earnest byner is the author of everybody fumbles 3. Earnest byner s goalline fumble in afc title game in 1988 adds to clevelands curse. This twotime super bowl champion and former all pro retired after a 14year nfl career ranked. Final 3 minutes 1987 afc title byner fumble k9buzby. Earnest byner on everybody fumbles the hugh hewitt show. No, now earnest byner, the man who authored the fumble one year after the drive and is a central figure in the torment of cleveland sports fan, is largely being let off the hook for.
Cleveland browns earnest byner should be in the hall of fame. Running back earnest byner fumbled at the 1yard line as the browns drove for what would have been the game. And i would say to anyone out there who has any kind of a need for an. Cleveland browns leeching on cavaliers championship, in. He is now the running back coach of img academy, a comprehensive. The drive and the fumble dashed cleveland browns super bowl. Veterans affairs medical center that promoted the physical. He is famous for one well known mistake while playing with the cleveland browns. Former browns rb earnest byner, infamous for 1988s the fumble, has coached five different rbs to a top10 performance nine years straight. Earnest byner gives back to cleveland veterans through healing dawgs organization greater love has no one than this, than to lay down ones life for his friends. Earnest byner had been to hell and back once, and 27 long years after a moment in time forever remembered as the fumble, he recognized his calling was to help a lost, young, wounded kindred spirit.
Game and player highlights, news stories, team and playerrelated features, fantasy football. Earnest byners fumble resulted in a second consecutive heartbreaking loss for cleveland in the afc title game. Shop autographed earnest byner photograph the fumble framed 16x20 set vs broncos autographed nfl photos and more authentic, autographed and gameused items at amazons sports collectibles store. Earnest byner, clevelands illfated sports stars react to. If football is a team game and that it in includes blocking, playing special teams and getting back up again after being knocked down, then earnest byner is way, way bigger than his,497 total yards. Cavs title eases grip of the fumble for earnest byner. In january, the former browns running back was fired as backfield coach of the tennessee titans after a season where chris johnson ran for an nflbest. The fumble project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. The fumble taught former cleveland browns running back. Ron heflinap just knowing what our city has been through, northeast ohio has been through as far as. Earnest byner has learned to deal with the most infamous of his 2,281 carries in an nfl career that spanned 14 seasons and two stints with the browns. The fumble cleveland browns nfl football earnest byner. Final 3 minutes 1987 afc title byner fumble youtube. As for the book, byner said he felt compelled to tell his story of his infamous fumble on the goalline of the 1987 afc championship game that cost the browns a shot at the super bowl.
Earnest alexander byner born september 15, 1962 is an american football coach and former running back. Browns running back earnest byner took the handoff and appeared to be on his way to score the gametying touchdown, but was stripped by broncos defensive back jeremiah castille at the oneyard line. The fumble was a tough moment for browns fans, kinda like if apollo creed won in rocky ii. Berea, ohio earnest byner saw brandon bostick fumble an onside kick that helped cost his team a trip to. Earnest alexander byner born september 15, 1962 is a former american football running back in the national football league. Earnest alexander byner born september 15, 1962 is a former american football running. The play, now known simply as the fumble, became the play for which byner is best remembered.
The drive, the fumble, the forgiveness of earnest byner. The cleveland running back got the call to run right, it was all but certain that byner was finding the endzone. Earnest byner grew up in milledgeville, georgia where today he is a hometown hero to many. He was raised by his grandmother, a teacher who gave him the extraordinary example of teaching. Game that has come to be known in cleveland as the fumble. Passing pass rushing rush receiving rec kickoff returns kr fumbles fum. Earnest byner was born on september 15, 1962 in milledgeville, georgia, usa as earnest alexander byner. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most.
Former cleveland browns rb earnest byner gained 12866 yards from. Earnest byner 44 of the browns being comforted after his fumble with 65 seconds left all but ended the a. Everybody fumbles earnest byner is one of the most accomplished running backs of all time. Washington redskins greats earnest byner and ricky ervins hosted a post super bowl sundae social feb. Understanding this moment helps fans and others understand this momentous occasion. Earnest byner learns to live with the fumble sports. Earnest byner career stats with the cleveland browns, washington redskins and baltimore ravens. A look at the fumble after the drive robbed the browns of another chance to make it to the super bowl, another infamous play the fumble by earnest byner took them out of the big. Earnest byner was born september 15, 1962 in milledgeville,georgia and is a former running back in the national football league and iscurrently a running backs coach for the jacksonville jaguars.
It is autographed on the inside by byner in black sharpie. This is a fantastic autographed copy of earnest byners book everyone fumbles. The pain is obviously still there, although over the years byner has figured out ways to dull it and move past it. In american football, the fumble was a play in the 1987 afc championship game between the browns and broncos on january 17, 1988 at mile high stadium. Earnest byner connects with brandon bostick after similar. While playing against the denver broncos in a 1986 playoff game, byner fumbled at the denver one yard line, which led to a broncos victory. Earnest byner shares his emotions and apologizes to the loyal browns fans. Former browns rb earnest byner, infamous for 1988s the. Redskins greats byner and ervins promote veterans health.
Earnest byner was gassing up his car tuesday afternoon for what. And i would say to anyone out there who has any kind of a need for an inspirational speaker, go to. When earnest byner talks about the fumble, his eyes gaze at nothing in particular and the memory returns. Earnest byner felt a peace wash over him when the cavs won the title. Guy to canton, but earnest byners career transcends the fumble. There is zero question that earnest byner belongs in the hall of fame. It sends depressing shivers down the spine even 31 years later. Former browns back earnest byners apology for the fumble. A look at the fumble after the drive robbed the browns of another chance to make it to the super bowl, another infamous play the fumble by earnest byner took them out of the big game one more time. Everybody fumbles by earnest byner book the fast free. Three decades ago, earnest byner had the most heartbreaking play in cleveland sports history when he committed the fumble, dropping the ball on the 1yard line with 1. The browns earnest byner fumbled at the denver 3yard line, sending the broncos to their second consecutive super bowl appearance. Castille dove toward byner as he approached the goalline and the ball fell out of byners hand and into castilles.
Earnest byners emotional apology brings believeland to. Former cleveland browns rb earnest byner mentors nfl player. In the dramatic scene of believeland, the espn 30 for 30 documentary that debuts on the. Football player earnest byner will forever be linked with the fumble. Earnest byners fumble ends browns rally as broncos. The fumble marred an otherwise impressive performance, as he finished the game with 67 rushing yards, seven receptions for 120 yards, and two touchdowns. Nfler earnest byners triumph over public humiliation.
983 1498 127 727 115 772 1244 764 488 1414 688 436 1146 253 1411 421 399 1399 817 762 694 620 585 727 255 791 624 589 1509 910 220 14 1256 976 930 971 327 828 1118 790 80 1453 892 1286 1003 1171 1105