If you walk into Cleveland Browns Stadium on a Sunday in October, you’re going to see a giant, muscle-bound dog wearing a jersey. You’ll also see a mischievous-looking elf with a pointed hat on the 50-yard line. Then there’s the actual, living bullmastiff roaming the sidelines. It’s confusing. Honestly, if you’re asking what is the mascot of the Cleveland Browns, the answer isn't a single name—it’s a weird, multi-layered identity crisis that fans absolutely adore.
Most NFL teams have one guy in a suit. The Browns have a whole lore.
The Big Dog in the Room: Chomps
Let’s start with the most obvious answer. Chomps is the official costumed mascot of the Cleveland Browns. He’s a Labrador-humanoid hybrid who looks like he spends way too much time at the gym. He’s been around since the late 90s, specifically arriving when the franchise was "reborn" in 1999.
Chomps represents the "Dawg Pound," which is the legendary bleacher section in the east end zone. That section wasn't created by some marketing executive in a suit; it was started by players like Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield in the 1980s. They used to bark at the quarterback to create pressure. The fans joined in. Now, we have a giant dog mascot because of it.
He’s the one you’ll see at charity events, birthday parties, and jumping around on the sidelines to get the crowd hyped. He’s friendly, he’s high-energy, and he’s the safest answer to the mascot question. But he’s definitely not the only one.
The Return of Brownie the Elf
If Chomps is the modern face, Brownie the Elf is the soul of the franchise, even if he makes some people deeply uncomfortable. For years, Brownie was tucked away in the archives. People thought he was too "soft" for a gritty football team.
But here’s the thing: Brownie is original.
He dates back to the very beginning of the team in the 1940s. The team’s first owner, Arthur "Mickey" McBride, used the elf in marketing materials. This wasn't some random choice; "brownies" are actually mythological creatures from Scottish folklore—helpful little household spirits who do chores at night but get cranky if you offend them.
For decades, Brownie was the primary logo. Then Art Modell took over the team in the 60s and reportedly hated the elf. He tried to phase it out, focusing more on the plain orange helmet. Fans didn't forget, though. In 2022, the Browns held a fan vote to decide the midfield logo. The fans spoke loud and clear: they wanted the elf. Now, a giant, aggressive-looking Brownie the Elf stands at the center of the field, stiff-arming imaginary opponents.
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It’s a bit weird to have an elf as a mascot for a team named after a person (Paul Brown) that uses a dog as its primary fan identity. But that’s Cleveland for you.
The Real Dogs: Swagger and SJ
We can't talk about the Cleveland Browns mascot without mentioning the four-legged legends. In 2014, the team introduced a live mascot named Swagger.
Swagger was a bullmastiff. Not a golden retriever, not a poodle—a massive, 140-pound beast that perfectly captured the "Dawg Pound" spirit. He led the team out of the tunnel for years, usually looking incredibly unimpressed by the noise and chaos around him.
Sadly, Swagger passed away in 2020 after a battle with cancer. The fan base took it hard. He wasn't just a dog; he was a symbol of the team’s resurgence.
The mantle was passed to his son, Swagger Jr. (SJ). SJ is currently the active live mascot. He’s a bit more energetic than his dad was, often seen prowling the sidelines and greeting fans. Having a live animal on the field adds a layer of authenticity that a guy in a plush suit just can’t replicate. When SJ barks, the stadium barks back.
Why the Mascot Situation is So Complicated
The reason people struggle to define the mascot is that the team name itself—the Browns—doesn't naturally lend itself to a character.
You can't really have a "Brown" as a mascot. Paul Brown, the team's co-founder and first coach, was the namesake. He actually resisted a lot of the mascot stuff early on. Because the name is a color/surname, the team had to look elsewhere for imagery.
- The Elf came from early marketing and folklore.
- The Dog came from player-driven culture in the 80s.
- The Helmet remains the official logo because the team prides itself on being "no-nonsense."
This creates a triple-threat identity. If you’re at a formal NFL event, it’s Chomps. If you’re looking at the midfield grass, it’s Brownie. If you’re watching the pre-game tunnel run, it’s SJ.
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The Dawg Pound Connection
You really can't understand the dog mascots without understanding the geography of the stadium. The Dawg Pound isn't just a nickname; it’s a registered trademark.
In the mid-80s, the bleachers at the old Municipal Stadium were incredibly rowdy. Fans started wearing dog noses, carrying bones, and barking. It was grassroots. It was messy. It was perfect.
When the team returned in 1999, the front office knew they had to lean into this. That’s why Chomps exists. That’s why Swagger was brought in. The "Browns" might be the name on the jersey, but the "Dawgs" are the identity of the city.
Comparing the Icons: A Quick Breakdown
If you're trying to explain this to a kid or a casual fan, here is how you sort through the madness:
Chomps is the guy you can high-five. He’s the "official" mascot in terms of mascot leagues and community appearances. He wears number 00.
Brownie the Elf is the vintage icon. He represents the 1940s and 50s dynasty years. He’s the logo on the field and on a lot of the "throwback" merchandise.
SJ (Swagger Jr.) is the live dog. He represents the actual spirit of the Dawg Pound. He’s the most "real" of the three.
Is There a "Main" Mascot?
Honestly, if you forced a Clevelander to pick one, you'd get a different answer depending on their age.
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Older fans who remember the championship years in the 50s might say it's the Elf. Fans who grew up in the Bernie Kosar era of the 80s will swear it’s a Dog. The team tries to satisfy everyone by using all of them. It’s a bit of a crowded house, but it works because the fans are so fiercely loyal to every era of their history—even the painful parts.
Common Misconceptions About the Browns Mascot
One thing people get wrong is thinking the "Brown" in Browns stands for a brown dog. It doesn't. Again, it’s Paul Brown.
Another mistake? Thinking Brownie the Elf is "new" because of the midfield logo. He’s actually the oldest symbol the team has. He was just "canceled" for a few decades because he wasn't "tough" enough.
Also, many people think the orange helmet is the mascot. A helmet can be a logo, but it can’t be a mascot. A mascot needs a personality (and usually a pulse, or at least some stuffing).
How to Interact with the Mascots
If you’re heading to a game, you can actually see all three.
SJ is usually near the tunnel or on the sidelines about 45 minutes before kickoff. Chomps wanders the concourses and the Dawg Pound throughout the game. Brownie... well, you’ll be standing on him if you’re a player, or you can find him on the massive scoreboard animations.
The team has done a great job of integrating these symbols into the game-day experience. It’s not just about a guy in a suit; it’s about a 75-year-old history that refused to pick just one lane.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Visit the Dawg Pound: If you want the full mascot experience, sit in the east end zone (sections 118-122). That’s where the dog identity lives and breathes.
- Check the Pre-game Schedule: Follow the Browns' social media to see where SJ will be for "pats and photos" before the game starts.
- Grab the Right Gear: If you like history, look for the "1946" collection featuring Brownie the Elf. If you want modern fan vibes, stick with the Dawg Pound apparel.
- Vote in Fan Polls: The Browns are one of the few teams that actually let fans vote on things like the midfield logo and mascot appearances via their official app.
Whether it’s a dog or an elf, the mascot of the Cleveland Browns is ultimately the fans who have stuck by the team through thick and thin. But if you see a giant dog barking at a referee, that's just Chomps doing his job.
Sources & Expert Context:
The history of Brownie the Elf is well-documented in the Cleveland Browns Encyclopedia by Jonathan Knight. The transition from Swagger to SJ was handled directly by the team’s veterinary partners and the Tancak family, who handled the dogs. The Dawg Pound's origin is credited to Hanford Dixon's 1980s interviews and his memoir, The Hanford Dixon Story.