The stories about how Stan created TBB as an AOL off shoot I think have been shared a lot, by more than one of us. I think however the reasons Stan created TBB have not been shared, or at least put up on a pedestal properly.
Many think that Stan’s love for the Browns is the fuel that formulated this place, but it isn’t, and it really never was. Oh, for sure, the unfair treatment of our core AOL group helped instigate Stan’s effort, for we AOL posters were being treated the same way NFL refs have treated our team. However, if you want to really learn something about Stan, I hope you will read along as I share my own personal journey with him.
Nearly 2 decades ago Stan pulled together a phenomenal tailgate for the Inaugural 1999 return of the Browns. He enabled many cyber friends to cross into the realm of real-life friendship. He enabled me to turn my once online hated rival Rich4Eagle into a beloved friend. Stan’s efforts brought me many other personal and lifelong pals, West Side Steve, Flugs, Chicopee John, I still think Hoorta and Zombo, and many others.
Oddly, at the 1999 inaugural, I barely introduced myself to Stan. We were antagonistic to each other. Both perhaps not enamored with the other’s ego. It was not until we discovered our mutual interest in Las Vegas years back that our friendship really grew and soared.
How sad it was this morning for me to receive a message from Zombo that my suspension had been lifted. I say that because his message also included the horrible news that is at this moment ripping a piece of many our hearts out.
Some might say, “how odd that Zombo would reach out to Ghoolie, I thought those guys hated each other.” Hmm, and now, we can begin to see why Stan created TBB.
A few years ago when I wrote an Irish composition for John (Zombo), Stan told me in Vegas that I was gay, that Zombo was gay, and my love song to him was proof positive. All kidding aside, the real story here is that it was TBB that facilitated that song. It facilitates a hell of a lot of our songs.
Stan created this place out of his love for people, for knuckleheads, for every odd nut, bolt and spacer that ever cheered for, cursed, and scratched their heads over the Browns. Stan created for us the real life “Cheers”, a place where everyone knows your name. Zombo, Hoorta, Ghoolie, WSS, Stinkhole, Vagitron, Gunz……
To the dismay of many, Stan and I seldom talked about TBB, and it was Stan who asked me to be here, not the other way around. However, Stan didn’t ask me to be here because he knew I was so great that the board couldn’t get along without me, no, he knew that I, me, Ghoolie, could not get along without TBB and my dear friends; friends who know me away from the Ghoolie schtick. On several occasions I asked Stan to change my screen name to Tom. He refused. In fact, Zombo changed my name back from Vesna Kociper, because to my extreme humility he felt Ghoolie needed to remain a part of our place.
In recent times, like me, Stan had fallen out of love with the Browns, even saying to me that I was right to want the new team to be named something other than the Browns. The reasoning being so that the new owners didn’t get a free ride and take advantage of our undying love for what had come before. But Stan was wrong, and I was wrong. The “Browns” whatever that is, is us. Pure and simple, it is us, and my beloved friend Stan Aten created a place for us.
Stan and I planned to post a picture of he and I wearing Las Vegas Raiders shirts in Vegas this coming winter. Two weeks ago we were each in Vegas at the same time, but missed each other. My God, that is yet another spear in my heart. I was so close, so nearby Stan and Kathy, and we missed signals. However, at the end of the day, Raiders joking aside, we talked about us. You, me, the knuckleheads, the oddballs, the fans who just need a place where everyone knows their name.
Stan…………..I know his name……………I knew him and I loved him.
God Bless you Stan, us, we, everyone here will never forget your name.