(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Dan Murphy
Director, Football Communications
Browns Training Camp Notes, Aug. 22, 2020
·Following an off day, the Browns returned to practice today in helmets and shorts.
·The Browns made the following roster move:
·Signed: DT Ricky Walker
Walker is 6-2, 301 pounds and officially in his first NFL season out of Virginia Tech. Originally signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent and waived during final roster cuts in 2019, Walker played for the Tampa Bay Viper of the XFL last year. He is a native of Hampton, Va., and will wear No. 69.
·The following players did not practice today due to injury: WR KhaDarel Hodge (personal), CB Kevin Johnson (liver), DE Robert McCray (eye), TE David Njoku (wrist), DT Larry Ogunjobi (groin), WR Damion Ratley (groin). C JC Tretter (knee) and LB Mack Wilson (knee).
·C Casey Dunn (foot) and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (heat) left today’s practice early.
·During the first week of 2020 Cleveland Browns Training Camp, the Cleveland Browns Puppy Pound, presented by Sugardale, surpassed the significant milestone of more than 500 adoptions since the program’s launch in 2015. Including the 55 puppies that have been placed in new homes during this year’s Puppy Pound, 550 adoptions from the Northeast Ohio SPCA have been facilitated through the partnership in its sixth year.
To honor the occasion this morning, Sugardale presented the Northeast Ohio SPCA with a $5,000 donation outside of the team’s facility in Berea. While following all COVID-19 best practices and protocols, Sugardale Director of Marketing and Communications Brittany Julian, Northeast Ohio SPCA Executive Director Jeff Kocian and Browns Manager of Partnership Activation Nicole Willis participated in the celebration, along with several puppies who are seeking their forever homes, prior to today’s practice session. Last year, Sugardale also made a $5,000 contribution to the Northeast Ohio SPCA after the Puppy Pound reached 400 total adoptions.
This year, the Browns via social media will announce open sign-ups to meet local animals in need of homes from the Northeast Ohio SPCA. Due to health and safety protocols, walk-up adoptions are not available at this time. The Northeast Ohio SPCA is a non-profit no-kill pet shelter located in Parma. With each adoption, Sugardale provides new owners with a puppy starter kit (while supplies last), as well as a station for families to take their first family photo with their new puppy. For 100 years, Sugardale has taken a personal approach to making great tasting, high-quality meats. Fans can kick off football season with the official hot dog of the Cleveland Browns, found in local grocery stores.
·To celebrate the Browns’ 2020 Training Camp and to support the Cleveland Browns Foundation, every day of practice the Browns Pro Shop will feature an exclusive item fans can only purchase by ordering over the phone or visiting the Browns Pro Shop at FirstEnergy Stadium. All net proceeds from allBrowns Pro Shop sales are donated to the Cleveland Browns Foundation.
·The Browns are auctioning a variety of once-in-a-lifetime experiences with top players, coaches and more to benefit Cleveland Browns Foundation. Fans have the chance to bid on auction items, providing them with a special opportunity to win incredible experiences or autographed items, while giving back to a good cause. To view the packages and place your bid, visit clevelandbrowns.com/auctions
·New this year, Browns fans across Ohio will have a special opportunity to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets during the 2020 Cleveland Browns Training Camp. With each ticket providing a chance to win half of the raffle’s net proceeds, the other half will benefit Stay in the Game! Network and Shoes and Clothes for Kids, a Cleveland-based non-profit organization. Fans 18 years and older may purchase tickets for the full duration of training camp and the raffle’s jackpot winner will be announced at the conclusion of the raffle on September 4. Some Exclusions apply. For more information or to purchase a ticket, visit Browns5050.com or the Browns Mobile app.
·Today’s Community Spotlight on Brows Live: Browns Alumnus WR Andrew Hawkins. Hawkins has been committed to consistently using his platform to create meaningful change in our communities, while serving as a positive role model for others. Dating back to his first season with the Browns in 2014, he delivered a strong message by speaking out against police brutality, following the death of Tamir Rice. To this day, Hawkins continues to use his platform to advocate for social justice. With the Browns, he hosted the annual Andrew Hawkins Holiday Takeover event, where he helped provide gifts and holiday cheer to Cleveland youth and was also a spokesman for the “No More” campaign to raise awareness for domestic violence and support for victims. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawkins joined former teammate and co-cost of the ThomaHawk Show, Pro Bowl LT Joe Thomas by partnering to create a $50,000 matching program to benefit the Children’s Hunger Alliance to offer meals to kids in need throughout Ohio. For more information on how you can get involved in the social justice efforts, visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/BeTheSolution.
·Throughout training camp, the Browns will recognize a number of teams that are participating in Build the Bridge as the Cleveland Browns High School Team of the Day. Today’s High School Team of the Day, Bedford Bearcats, is paired with the Eastlake North Rangers, led by Coach Shawn Dodd, to discusshow the two programs could build the bridge of racial equality.
Through the #BeTheSolution campaign, a social justice educational movement inspired by EVP of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns support the “Build the Bridge” program. Established by Cleveland Heights coaches Mac Stephens and Kahari Hicks and Beachwood Head Coach Damion Creel, Build the Bridge strives to create a coalition of coaches, players, parents, administration and community members to foster the success of student-athletes through social-emotional, educational, and athletic advancement. Do your part to be a part of the Solution. To learn more about how football programs can get involved in Build the Bridge, Unite Together and help #BeTheSolution, email youthfootball@clevelandbrowns.com.