We’ve just begun the 2023 Season of the National Football League, and I’ve waited a while to post this piece, as I felt this would be the appropriate time to talk about a person whose life legacy was exactly the same as today’s title.

Since the Cleveland Browns, (once a storied and respected member of the NFL, who’ve fallen by the wayside the past 24 years), moved to Baltimore in ’96, then returned in ’99, a group of local Browns fans have become members of one of the largest sports fans’ clubs in the world, the Browns Backers Worldwide. A charter was applied for, and granted, to establish a local chapter, the Browns Backers of Jamestown, N.Y., and we’ve been together this near quarter of a century.

During this time, we’ve had many members, some for a season, some a few seasons, some more than that, and some the entire 24-year lifespan of the Backers of Jamestown. We’ve been hosted by many great businesses in the Jamestown area, including, The Marco Polo Club, Shaggy’s, in Bemus Point, Game Time Sports Bar and Grill, and as of 10 years ago, we’ve been able to call Waddington’s Tavern the Official Viewing Establishment of the Browns Backers of Jamestown, N.Y. We have appreciated the hospitality of all of our locations through the return years of the Browns, and encourage everyone to support their businesses.

For about the past 13 years, or so, we’ve tried to be a group who does more than cheer, (often times for us, commiserate) their team. We’ve sponsored numerous fundraisers raising money to donate to various local charities, causes, and/or groups, etc., who’ve done so much in/around our Chautauqua County communities.

During that time, we’ve been blessed meeting many great people from our area, who we now consider/call friends, and many from the Cleveland area, some property owners on Chautauqua Lake and who join us for Browns games, some on numerous occasions.

Sadly, we’ve lost some members, who’ve passed away, people met through the Backers, some known through work, church, some we’d/we’ve known for many years prior to the formation of our charter group. I’ve always felt we all have friends we haven’t met yet, but will someday and become friends that we come to know and love very much. I feel that way with the many wonderful people Sally and I have met at Jimmy Buffett concerts, Cleveland Baseball games, at St, Michael’s Church Independence, Ohio, when we’re away from our local Holy Apostles Parish. I certainly feel that as a member of the Browns Backers of Jamestown.

One of our members, whom I never knew before the Browns Backers, passed away about six months ago in March. He and his lovely wife, fit right in with our group, immediately jumping into our fundraising efforts, selling tickets, supporting our raffles, donating to our rummage sales and raffle prizes, donating food to our weekly game Food Fests, before Waddington’s opened their kitchen, and contributing time, energy, and resources to our after-season dinners, where we were able to bring together former Browns players with connections to our area in some way, shape, or form.

The gentleman I’m speaking of, lived an amazing life. He spent a career serving the Village of Lakewood as a postal worker, but that was just the tip if his enormous iceberg. After retiring from postal service, he continued his involvement in the Lakewood Fire Department becoming a captain, a chief, and an instructor, and advisor, along the way. The LFD was a pride and joy for him. As he was doing this, he was responsible for saving three lives in separate emergency situations. He’d also counsel/help anyone who may have sought his help or advice. He maintained/cared for four cemeteries in/around, Lakewood, Ashville, and Panama, giving many young people chances to make some summer cash working in the great outdoors, and when the season ended, making many of them impatient to return the next year. His number one role, though, was patriarch of his large family, whom he loved dearly, yet he still saved room for anyone else who may have needed anything. He had an infectious smile and personality, which made anyone feel good no matter the score, or their troubles. Oh yeah, one more thing, he was my friend. He truly was a Jack of all trades, mastering of all of them. His name, ironically, Jack Knowlton.

Jack is a revered name at Waddington’s Tavern. It’s the name of our host, Jeff’s late father, and his nine year old son, and now the name of our friend, Jack Knowlton can join that special list.

Jack will be with us for Browns games this season, and always, from here on out, as we’ve hung a canvased picture of him at Waddington’s, and there’s a chair sporting Jack’s name on an engraved nameplate, and it’s positioned where Jack sat game days, facing the TV he watched each week, as we sometimes cheered, more times commiserated (hey, misery loves company, and we had fun in spite of the misery) our beloved Browns.

We know his better half, his lovely wife, Judy, will be there, knowing and telling us just what Jack will be saying on every play, good or bad.

Continue to Rest in Peace, Jack. Proud to say I know you! Go Browns!