HISTORY OF MOBILE DAWG...
Tony
Schaefer's parents would often tell the story that when Tony was born, the doctor spanked his behind and when Tony took
his first breath he did not cry. He yelled out, "Go Browns!" Seven years later Tony was sitting with his dad on
a cold day in early November at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, watching Browns' quarterback Milt Plum hand the ball off
to the great Jim Brown. The Browns lost to the New York Giants that day 21-17, but the loss did not dampen Tony's spirits.
He was excited to have taken in his first
Browns' game. Tony grew up in Sandusky, Ohio, where as a little league catcher he caught for Bo Rather, who later went
on to play wide receiver for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. He also was part of the battery with Thom Darden for a
couple of years. Darden went on to be a stalwart in the Browns' defensive backfield after playing his college ball for
Michigan.
Tony still resides in Sandusky and shares his home with
his girlfriend Ann and his two dogs, named Otto and Clay. He named his canine friends after two of his favorite Browns'
players Otto Graham and Clay Matthews. He has two sons, Tony Jr. and Raymond. I got the sense that a lot of hard-nosed football
games were played in the Schaefer's yard over the years. The boys went to their first Browns' game with their Dad
at an early age. Both are loyal to the 'Brown and Orange' to this day. Tony also has five grandchildren and serveral
other close family members: which Tony declares proudly: "All of them are Browns' fans." When Tony says "All,"
I'm really sure he means everyone from Tony's parents, his kids, their kids, and even his nieces and nephews share
in his love for the team. Make no mistake, the Schaefer family's proud tradition of being Browns' fans will carry
on.
Tony was elected into the NFL Hall Of Fame Fans in 2004 and is always giving back to the community with his
help in many charities.
