Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.
The Browns are one of four current franchises never to appear in one of the NFL’s 53 Super Bowls. The difference with the other three – Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars – is that their cities have hosted at least one Super Bowl.
Which makes Cleveland uniquely left out when it comes to Super Bowls.
Until that changes, the closest Cleveland comes to the Super Bowl is through the connections of Northeast Ohio involved in the game.
These are the connections to Super Bowl 53.
Bill Belichick, head coach: He was 37-45 as Browns head coach from 1991 through 1995, including a 1-1 record in the 1994 playoffs. The 204 points allowed in 1994 ranked first in the league and are still a franchise record. His 20-14 victory over the Bill Parcells-Drew Bledsoe-era Patriots on Jan. 1, 1995 was the last Browns post-season win. He survived the uber-controversial release of quarterback icon Bernie Kosar in the middle of the 1993 season, but was left behind when then-owner Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore in February of 1996. This is his ninth Super Bowl as Patriots head coach.
Nick Caserio, director of player personnel: A native of Lyndhurst, OH, and four-time starting quarterback for John Carroll University, he is in his 17th season with the Patriots – 15 in personnel and two as receivers coach.
Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach: A wide receiver and former John Carroll teammate of Caserio’s, he is in his 10th season as coordinator and 15th overall with the Patriots. The native of Canton and son of coaching legend Thom McDaniels is a frequent head coach candidate, but did not receive an interview in the most recent Browns coaching search.
Jerry Schuplinski, assistant quarterbacks coach: He was head coach at Trinity High School in Garfield Heights from 2002-06, coached special teams and linebackers at Case Western Reserve University, and is in his sixth year with the Patriots. He is another John Carroll alum.
Brian Hoyer, quarterback: The North Olmsted native and former St. Ignatius High School quarterback realized a dream by playing for the Browns in 2013-14. He still is the only Browns quarterback with a winning record (9-6) in the expansion era. He is in his second stint as Tom Brady’s backup and sixth year overall with the Patriots.
Julian Edelman, wide receiver: He started at quarterback one year at Kent State and broke Josh Cribb’s single season total offense record. A seventh-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2009, he ranks third all-time in the NFL in post-season receptions behind Jerry Rice and Reggie Wayne.
Danny Shelton, nose tackle: The Browns’ No. 1 draft pick in 2015, 12th overall, was traded to the Patriots in 2018 along with a fifth-round pick for a third-round pick in 2019. He appeared in 13 games, starting one, and had 20 tackles.
Jason McCourty, cornerback: After starting 13 games with the 0-16 Browns in 2017, he was traded to New England with a seventh-round pick for a sixth-round pick in 2018. Reunited with twin brother Devin McCourty, he never made the post-season in nine previous NFL seasons.
Josh Gordon, wide receiver: Traded on Sept. 17 to New England for a fifth-round pick in 2019, he had 40 catches and three touchdowns in 11 games, including the 500th touchdown pass of Brady’s career. He was suspended indefinitely by the NFL on Dec. 20 reportedly because of a diluted test sample. He reportedly is in patient treatment in Gainesville, FL, and could return to the team in the future if reinstated.
Chris Shula, assistant linebackers coach: The defensive coordinator at John Carroll in 2014, he is the grandson of NFL coaching legend and Grand River, OH native Don Shula.
Rodger Saffold, left guard: Native of Bedford and two-way lineman for Bedford High School, he has been a stalwart on the Rams offensive line since being drafted 33rd overall in 2010. He has made starts at every offensive line position but center in his 111 career starts in nine seasons.