The Cleveland Browns announced earlier this week they will wear a white facemask for the first time in 17 seasons when they host the Baltimore Ravens this afternoon (4:30 p.m. on NFL Network).
The subtle but significant change has received an overwhelming response from fans who would like to see the white facemasks return in a full-time capacity, and Browns executive vice president J.W. Johnson has noticed.
“Have heard enough and agree,” Johnson said in a response to a poll on Twitter that asked if Cleveland should also change the facemask on the team’s primary logo. “There is a process, so be patient.”
The Browns wore white facemasks with their orange helmets from 1975-95, as well as upon their return as an expansion franchise from 1999-2005. Their primary logo reflected that design during those seasons.
When Cleveland moved to a gray facemask in 2006 as part of its 60th anniversary celebration, the logo changed again, just like it did when the Browns switched to a brown facemask as part of a new uniform set in 2015.
The brown facemask remained when Cleveland returned to a classic look in 2020, though the Browns wore a gray facemask three times last season as part of their 1946 throwback uniforms.
While NFL teams are only permitted to overhaul their logo and uniforms once every five seasons, the facemask is only considered a minor element of the overall uniform and not subject to those same rules.
Changing the logo is a different story, though it doesn’t apply to Cleveland since the Browns haven’t changed their logo in eight seasons. Still, any changes have to be presented to the NFL for approval.
How long that process takes can vary, of course, but it’s worth noting the Washington Commanders were able to update the years on their secondary logo as quickly as three weeks after it was unveiled.
Photo courtesy of @Browns on Twitter.
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