CLEVELAND — For more than 40 years now, there’s only one place you’ll find Tim Zifzal when the Cleveland Browns play at home. He’s at the game, passionately cheering on his favorite team.

Zifzal travels over two hours from his home in Smithfield, Jefferson County, to get to FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. Those are just a few of the reasons the Browns have named Zifzal the organization’s Fan of the Year.

What You Need To Know

  • Tim Zifzal has been named the Browns 2022 Fan of the Year by the organization

  • Zifzal has been a season ticket holder since 1978

  • He also has been awarded tickets to the 2023 Super Bowl

  • Zifzal is also now competing to become the NFL Fan of the Year.

“I love this team,” said Zifzal. “I really love them more than they love themselves.”

Zifzal said he’s been a Browns fan his entire life. He’s also been a season ticket holder since 1978 and said he’s only missed seven games, two of which were due to his wife, Kim, having brain surgery.

Zifzal said Kim goes to the games with him, but when the couple first met it took some convincing to cheer for the Browns.

“She started out as a Pittsburgh fan, and I made sure before I married her that she would convert,” said Zifzal.

Growing up, Zifzal said he’d go to the games with his dad, who was also a passionate Browns fan.

“He loved this Browns organization as much as I do,” said Zifzal.

And while some of Zifzal’s fondest memories are from inside the stadium on game day, so is one of his scariest.

“November 28,1999, my dad and I were at a Browns game,” said Zifzal. “We were in a team shop prior to the game and he went into cardiac arrest.”

Crews rushed to his dad’s side, using a defibrillator to revive him.

“Our favorite team saved my father’s life. I had him 17 more years because of the Browns. I’m forever grateful,” he said.

The Browns, meanwhile are forever grateful of Zifzal and his dedication to the team, thanking him with the Fan of the Year title.

“It was a beautiful, it was wonderful day. One of the greatest days of my life,” said Zifzal, about finding out he was chosen.

And it’s more than just a title. Being the Browns 2022 Fan of the Year also comes with some nice perks, one of which is tickets to the 2023 Super Bowl. While it’s highly unlikely the Browns will be playing in that game, at least one of the team’s fans will be there proudly wearing brown, white and orange.

“I still can’t believe it. I’ve been a fan my whole life. I live and breathe these guys, the whole organization, he said.

Zifzal is also now competing to become the NFL Fan of the Year.

To vote for him, click here.