BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns announced British Bulldawgs Browns Backers Chapter President Kelly Burgess Taylor as their 2024 NFL International Fan of the Year nominee. As the Browns nominee, Taylor will have the opportunity to travel to the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay where she will get to announce one of the Browns' draft picks onstage and take part in other exclusive experiences.
The NFL International Fan of the Year contest celebrates extraordinary fans globally who inspire others with their passion for the game and serve as a consistent, steadfast force across their communities through fandom and dedication.
"Kelly has been a key contributor in growing our fanbase in the United Kingdom and we are so proud to have her represent the Browns as our 2024 International Fan of the Year," said Haslam Sports Group Senior Vice President of Marketing and Media, Brent Rossi. "Her hard work and dedication to the growth of the British Bulldawgs Browns Backers Chapter doesn't go unnoticed and we can't wait to travel to London in the 2025 season to experience the community Kelly and the rest of the chapter have built firsthand."
Originally from Cleveland, the Browns have always been an integral part of Taylor's life with memories of attending games with her grandfather and brother at Municipal Stadium. Her parents, who now live in Columbus, have held season tickets for the Browns since the team's return in 1999.
However, in 2003, Taylor made the move to the United Kingdom and was encouraged by her father to join the local Browns Backers group to meet other American transplants. To her surprise, the 10 core members were British-born fans who have cheered on the Browns since the 1980s. Since then, Taylor has played an integral part in expanding the chapter, growing from a once-a-season meetup watching VHS tapes of past Browns games, to a weekly watch party and community. In 2017, Taylor became the president of the group and has held the position since, growing the chapter to over 400 registered members and 4,600 followers on social media.
"I love hosting our one-time guests as much as our regular members whom I have known now for 20 years," Taylor said. "We have grown a fantastic community here in the UK of passionate Browns fans."
In 2017, when the Browns last played in London, Taylor had the opportunity to meet Browns G Joel Bitonio and share her passion for the Browns and excitement of watching her favorite team play in London. The chapter was awarded the Browns Backers Chapter of the Year in 2017 for their work hosting the Browns in London. During the 2025 season, Kelly and the rest of the British Bulldawgs Browns Backers Chapter will have the opportunity to once again host their team as the Browns travel across the Atlantic for the first time since 2017 to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
About Browns Backers Worldwide:
Browns Backers Worldwide, in association with TrueFan Travel, is the official fan club of the Cleveland Browns. With over 300 recognized chapters in 14 countries, Browns Backers Worldwide is considered one of the largest organized fan clubs in professional sports. For more information, visit brownsbackersworldwide.com.
