In 1974, Dale O. Cox worked for Roetzel and Andress, a law firm in Akron, Ohio. He was also a dedicated Browns fan, “who attends or tries to attend every game.” But one thing kept him from fully enjoying himself at those game: paper airplanes.
Browns fans, but not Cox, had taken to sending paper airplanes gliding throughout the stadium during games. That, Cox feared, was a major safety hazard. He wrote to the Browns to point out “the risk of serious eye injury and perhaps an ear injury as a result of such airplanes,” and to put them on notice that he would hold them responsible for any paper airplane-related damage to his eyes and perhaps ears:
> Please be advised that since you are in a position to control or terminate such action on the part of fans, I will hold you responsible for any injury sustained by any person in my party attending one of your sporting events. It is hoped that his disrespectful and possibly dangerous activity will be terminated.
And in response came one of the best attorney letters we’ve seen, penned by James N. Bailey, then-general counsel for the Browns:
> Dear Mr. Cox:
> Attached is a letter that we received on November 19, 1974. I feel that you should be aware that some asshole is signing your name to stupid letters.
Instead of Arkell v Pressdram in future I will cite James v Grant.
An unexpected but perfect ending to a beautiful letter.
You can’t beat our spirit.
Lol, that sign off. Brilliant. I wonder what became of her 97 is very impressive and even more so with her faculties still fully intact.
14 comments
I love this. Mrs Grant has been committed to history by this letter. God bless her.
A fuck-off so iconic, it’s etched into the history on a piece of paper. Good on ya, Mary!
That’s a lovely letter indeed.
Lovely letter with a happy ending as well.
Never mess with a little old Northern Irish lady, or her radio!
I’m not from here, never heard of this, but it just made my day!
Miriam Margolyes does a brilliant reading of this
I howled. Thank you.
Truly an iconic piece of history, to be cherished in perpetuity.
Reminds me of this letter
https://www.reddit.com/r/Cleveland/comments/1eg6j08/in_1974_local_lawyer_dale_cox_was_attending_a/
In 1974, Dale O. Cox worked for Roetzel and Andress, a law firm in Akron, Ohio. He was also a dedicated Browns fan, “who attends or tries to attend every game.” But one thing kept him from fully enjoying himself at those game: paper airplanes.
Browns fans, but not Cox, had taken to sending paper airplanes gliding throughout the stadium during games. That, Cox feared, was a major safety hazard. He wrote to the Browns to point out “the risk of serious eye injury and perhaps an ear injury as a result of such airplanes,” and to put them on notice that he would hold them responsible for any paper airplane-related damage to his eyes and perhaps ears:
> Please be advised that since you are in a position to control or terminate such action on the part of fans, I will hold you responsible for any injury sustained by any person in my party attending one of your sporting events. It is hoped that his disrespectful and possibly dangerous activity will be terminated.
And in response came one of the best attorney letters we’ve seen, penned by James N. Bailey, then-general counsel for the Browns:
> Dear Mr. Cox:
> Attached is a letter that we received on November 19, 1974. I feel that you should be aware that some asshole is signing your name to stupid letters.
Instead of Arkell v Pressdram in future I will cite James v Grant.
An unexpected but perfect ending to a beautiful letter.
You can’t beat our spirit.
Lol, that sign off. Brilliant. I wonder what became of her 97 is very impressive and even more so with her faculties still fully intact.
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