NFL teams
Jake Trotter, ESPN Staff Writer 3y

Tom Seipel, Cleveland Browns fan who had wish to watch team clinch playoff berth realized, dies at 39

NFL, Cleveland Browns

Tom Seipel, the Cleveland fan who got to see his team play one final time with the help of Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, has died at the age of 39.

Seipel had been battling kidney cancer. His friend posted the news to Seipel's Instagram account.

During the final week of the regular season, Seipel left hospice to see the Browns clinch their first playoff berth since 2002 with a victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. Seipel watched the game in a suite at FirstEnergy Stadium provided by Mayfield's wife, Emily.

"You're extremely inspirational," Mayfield said in a video sent to Seipel at the time.

The Mayfields also met Seipel after the game.

On Saturday, Mayfield tweeted: "Rest In Peace Tom. Your pure heart will never be forgotten."

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