This insane footage from 1986 gives new meaning to the term fantasy football. Cleveland Browns, what is best in life?
NewsFootball season may be long over, but fear not as we have a special treat for the sports fans amongst you today. Meet Masters of the Gridiron, a Conan the Barbarian/Lord of the Rings-inspired short film in which players from the 1986 Cleveland Browns are thrust into a fantasy adventure that comes complete with the best cheesy 1980s song since Joe Esposito's "You're the Best" from The Karate Kid.This was one of a slew of videos released by NFL teams in the aftermath of the Chicago Bears'"The Super Bowl Shuffle" music video and it is unquestionably the best.
Despite a low budget and the fact that NFL players aren't the best actors (apologies to those fans of Brian Bosworth/Stone Coldout there), this is still a fun watch. We'd even go so far to say that we enjoyed this more than Conan the Destroyer. Think of what an episode of Game of Throneswould be like if it was directed by Menahem Golen and you'll begin to get the idea of what shithouse bonkers pleasures this flick includes...and that's not even getting into the homoeroticism or bear wrestling that goes on within its far too brief running time.
And did we mention that the late, great Tiny Tim is the villain? Or that it features a pre-Saved by the Bell: The College YearsBob Golic? Man, this thing is a miracle. Take a look:
USA Today's "For the Win" has a detailed breakdown of how this video came into existence and an interview with its creators (long story short, it was created to raise money for charity by Browns' center -- and leading man -- Mike Baab). You don't have to be a football fan to enjoy the crazy self-indulgence on display here. This thing exists to be cherished by all, even if you can't figure the damn thing out.
Again, bear wrestling? Sure, why not.
