The Cleveland Browns have been the subject of ridicule among many sports media figures, and it appears that the hosts of The Really Big Show on ESPN Cleveland are growing weary of the jests directed at the team. On Wednesday, the cast of Unsportsmanlike discussed top draft prospect Shedeur Sanders playing as the Cleveland Browns in the popular NFL video game Madden and whether this indicated his possible desire to be drafted by the organization in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Chris Canty and Evan Cohen dismissed the idea that Sanders’ choice reflected any genuine interest in the Browns, arguing that no NFL prospect has ever explicitly expressed a desire to be selected by them. “I don’t think it’s anything,” Canty stated. “It feels like this is one of those stunts to create the drumbeat for him to get drafted as high as possible. I don’t think it’s Cleveland or bust for Shedeur Sanders. Said no prospective quarterback prospect ever… I only want to play for the Cleveland Browns or nobody else.” Cohen added that the only instance of someone specifically wanting to play for the Browns was in the movie Draft Day, quoting, “Vontae Mack, ‘No matter what.’”
Something or nothing? Shedeur Sanders plays as Browns in Madden 🤔@ESPNCleveland pic.twitter.com/jtpd2MAqfF
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) February 19, 2025
Unsportsmanlike is broadcast nationally across various markets, including ESPN Cleveland, where it leads into The Really Big Show hosted by Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer every weekday morning. On that Wednesday edition, the cast responded to comments from the Unsportsmanlike crew, describing the negative remarks as “low-hanging fruit” that unnecessarily alienate the Cleveland market. Chris Oldach remarked, “Can I just say to Evan, Chris, and Michelle, don’t turn into the show that takes the low-hanging fruit when it comes to Cleveland sports? Cleveland is probably one of your biggest markets that listens to the show because you lead into The Really Big Show. What does that accomplish for you guys? Nothing.”
Aaron Goldhammer added, “If they just take the low-hanging fruit all the time, eventually you are going to turn off the audience. Especially when you don’t have anybody to counterbalance. I’ve got Riz yelling right back at me representing the fans. Chris, there was no ‘I feel for Cleveland fans’ in that. Maybe a bit from Evan, but mostly it felt just cruel.”
We have a response to @UnSportsESPN and their constant Cleveland slander:
“Don’t turn into the show that takes the low-hanging fruit when it comes to Cleveland sports,” – @TheOGPAW. pic.twitter.com/HaxL6ox1hV
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) February 19, 2025
This rebuttal seemed to catch the attention of the Unsportsmanlike crew, leading to Aaron Goldhammer appearing on Thursday’s show to further discuss the issue. “I’ve been accused of doing this many times,” Goldhammer commented regarding his previous criticisms of the Browns. “To a Browns fan, it sounded like you were laughing at them. This is a sensitive time here, as it feels like a new low for Cleveland sports fandom. It’s lower than when they won just one game in two years… It feels completely hopeless.” He continued, noting that Sanders was a glimmer of hope amidst the negative remarks, and that such conversations might alienate rather than attract Browns fans. “Our concern is that a Browns fan might be more likely to turn you off after hearing that.”
The Really Big Show in Cleveland is “looking out” for the Unsportsmanlike crew.
It’s a new low in Cleveland… @HammerNation19 https://t.co/0JXg6ZFPps pic.twitter.com/D8TmD5wsyS
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) February 20, 2025
Only time will tell if the Unsportsmanlike crew will temper their critiques of the Browns, but they have at least been cautioned that their Cleveland audience may suffer dramatically if they choose not to.
