HOF Artifact of the Week

This week's featured artifact is the game ball from the Cleveland Browns 1994 AFC Wildcard Playoff victory over the New England Patriots on January 1, 1995 (Final score: 20-13).

The Patriots were led by future Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells and came into the game on a seven-game winning streak after beginning the season 3-6. The Browns finished the 1994 season with an 11-5 record which allowed them to host the game.

Current New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick led the Browns that season. He had previously won two Super Bowls (XXI and XXV) with Parcells as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. Belichick’s defensive coordinator in 1994 was future Alabama Coach Nick Saban. That season the Browns allowed only 204 points which was the fewest in the NFL.

In the victory, Cleveland forced three turnovers and hurried Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe to complete only 38% of his passes. The Browns foil in 1994 were the Pittsburgh Steelers who defeated the Browns twice in the regular season and eliminated the Browns from the playoffs the very next week. Unfortunately for Browns fans, the 1994 AFC Wildcard game is the last time the franchise has won in the playoffs.

Our weekly artifacts and other unique items are featured daily in our docent presentations for visitors of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Plan your visit to the Hall to learn more about the collection in our archives.