It’s not every day that you get to meet a true icon of one of the teams that you root for, but many Dallas-based fans of the Cleveland Browns were able to do just that last night. 
Browns legend Joe “Turkey” Jones visited the Dallas-area Browns Backers last night, and could not possibly have been any nicer. He signed autographs, he chatted at length with die-hard Browns fan, he took pictures, he dispensed advice and wisdom — basically, he was awesome.
At halftime, he even took questions from the crowd. One excited Browns fan asked him to discuss the hit on Terry Bradshaw. Turkey’s response? “I was just doing my job.” He also let everyone in attendance in on a little-known fact (at least for the people there last night): he was fined an entire game check for the hit. “We had to scramble that week just so the kids could eat,” Turkey said (I’m paraphrasing)
For those of you, like me previously, who are not familiar with Turkey Jones and his monstrous hit on Terry Bradshaw, this video is all you need to get acquainted:
Turkey Jones is one of the most popular ex-Browns players, and it was easy to see why tonight.
He still goes back and spends time in Cleveland every year, though he now makes his home in the Dallas area. He is personable, warm, and patient as Browns fans from different generations asked him questions and had Turkey talk about the tackle on Terry Bradshaw, of the hated Pittsburgh Steelers, that is a sublime memory for all Browns fans who were alive to see it, and all those who later came to know it through video. Turkey regularly attends events such as tonight’s Browns Backers get-together, charity golf tournaments, etc.
You can read more about the life and career of Turkey Jones at his wikipedia page. There is no question that Turkey made last night a truly memorable one for all of the Browns fans in attendance.
Also making last night memorable was the debut of Brady Quinn and the Browns’ 23-10 victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Foot—what’s that? Denver came back and won? Jay Cutler threw for 900 yards and 17 TDs in the 4th quarter?
You’re kidding right?
Well, at least because of Turkey Jones the Browns provided pleasant memories to their fans last night. Unfortunately, Turkey was in Dallas at Life’s a Beach Sports Bar and not on the field playing defense.
We could have used him…even now, 30-some years after his playing career ended.
Thank you for being such a wonderful guest last night Turkey. The Cleveland Browns could not ask for a better ambassador than you.
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