CRS-Exclusive Interview With 'Charlies Fryes'

Originally published February 7th, 2006

By CRS Staff

So off we go into another depressing offseason without football for seven months.  But before we wallow in the self-pity of actually finding constructive things to do with our Sunday afternoons, we thought we'd highlight one of the few emerging bright spots from the recent Browns season - the emergence of Charlie Frye as Browns starting QB, and his growing legion of fans led by 'Charlies Fryes'.  You've probably seen them on TV (it's hard to miss two grown men dressed up like a box of french fries), or in the newspaper.  We recently caught-up with Mike Randall, longime Browns season ticketholder, and founder/creator of Charlies Fryes.  Find out why these guys got started, how there's no hint of any Jerramy Stevens-like fear of the Steelers, and how they've shown some business props to keep others from making money on their idea.  Enjoy.

CRS: So we gotta ask, what possesses two normal fans to dress up like french fries and cheer for a rookie QB?

CF: The Dawg Pound needed something different, and this team needed a leader that we haven't seen since Bernie Kosar.  We followed Charlie Frye's career at the University of Akron (where I went to school), and when he was drafted by the Browns, we were excited.  Here's a local guy that grew up a Browns fan and dreamed of wearing the orange and brown just like Kosar, and his dream came true. We started this in Week 4 because we thought then, and know now, that Charlie is the leader of this team.

CRS: What was the reaction you received from your fellow Dawg Pound brethren like Big Dawg and The Bone Lady the first time they saw Charlies Fryes?

CF: Well, I think Debra (The Bone Lady) likes what we're doing, and I know John
Thompson (Big Dawg) does as well.  John and I are good friends, actually, and traveled together to Cincinnati last year.  He and the Fryes will be headed to many road games in the future.

CRS: I see from your web site that you have met the real Charlie in person.  Did you sense at all that he was studying either of you for any stalker tendencies?

CF: We've met Charlie a couple of times and he likes what we are doing.  We explained to him that we did this out of respect, and that we weren't trying to capitalize off his name. We've had people wanting to buy our outfits and we did copyright the concept and the outfits so no one can make money from this (CRS: See, we told you these guys were savvy).

CRS: What's the strangest thing you've ever had someone say to you at a
Browns game?

CF: The strangest thing that happened is when a woman grabbed my butt.  When I asked what she was doing, she responded by asking me if I was "supersized" (CRS: There's probably a Happy Meal joke to be made here, but at the risk of taking this interview in the wrong direction, we'll take the high road and just move on).

CRS: Nice!  Speaking of McDonald's, have you yet been approached by anyone from the golden arches regarding a possible sponsorship deal?

CF: We have not as of yet, but we would love it. Or should I say, "We're loving it!" (CRS: Ahh, I see the Fryes have been practicing in anticipation of receiving that McDonald's phone call already.  Maybe they should call Bob Golic for inspiration?).

CRS: When the Browns start winning again and people jump on the Charlie Frye bandwagon, will you consider supersizing Charlies Fryes, or will you remain an order of small fryes?

CF: If people want to dress up as Charlies Fryes that would be great.  We'd
love to see a whole Charlies Fryes section in the Pound with us as the leaders. The Browns need a new look in the Pound, and yes, we'd be all for that.

CRS: Are you afraid that if you travel to Pittsburgh for a game, Steeler
fans may douse you in Heinz ketchup and try to eat you?

CF: We are not afraid of going to Pittsburgh at all!  We will be headed there
next year, and yes, we will be dressed as Charlies Fryes (CRS: Let us be the the first to make the obligatory, 'Would you like some Fryes with that Roethlisberger' joke about 297 days before an NFL announcing team from CBS does the same). 

CRS: If Charlie is ever traded to the Packers, would you consider moving to Green Bay and changing your name to the Cheese Fryes?

CF: No!  If Charlie is ever traded, the Charlies Fryes will be fryed! (CRS: We didn't ask if they'd change their name to the 'Chili Fryes' if he was traded to Cincinnati, but we'll assume the answer would have been the same)

CRS: OK, last question.  Now that the Steelers have their 'one for the
thumb', any predictions on when the Browns will get their first one?

CF: I really believe the Browns will win a Super Bowl by 2008. I think we are close.  Randy Lerner wants to win so bad, and he has hired the right people with Romeo and Phil.  I think they will turn this around quickly.  And when we go to the Super Bowl, we won't need the refs to win it for us, we'll do it on our own!  (CRS: There you have it - Better get your tickets for Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida, baby.  Browns in '08!)