Football, or at least something that looked like it, returned to Berea on Sunday afternoon. For the second consecutive year, the Cleveland Browns started their training camp at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, but Sunday marked the first training camp practice that was opened to the public at the team headquarters in Northeast Ohio.
The stands on the east end of the practice fields at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus were filled with Browns fans from Northeast Ohio and beyond. The experience of attending training camp allows fans to have an experience far different than attending a game. There’s more to do on the grounds than just football, and it’s far cheaper to be at training camp than it is to attend a regular season game.
Off to the side of the practice fields, there are multiple activities for fans to take part in while football is going on inside the lines. There’s a 40-yard dash, the puppy pound, pop-a-shot and more. It is an opportunity to put families closer to the game than any other time of the year, while also having other things to do when needed.
That included Corey Fellows and his family from Steubenville. Fellows brought his kids up for the chance to see an NFL team up close, and also because there’s much more than just football at training camp.
“This is only my second one. We came last year,” Fellows says. “It’s a blast. We don’t have that two hours south. And it’s great for the kids. I think it’s a cool environment, you know what I mean?”
Going to a game during the season is great, for those that can afford it. But going to training camp is a great alternative for those who want the NFL experience and to see the players up close.
The team has five more training camp dates open to the public. Those dates are Aug. 6, 8, 12, 20 and 21.
On the field, the Browns weren’t in pads on Sunday as they work toward their first preseason game Saturday at home against the Green Bay Packers. The team is still without running back Nick Chubb as he works to return from a gruesome knee injury that cut his 2023 season short.
Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was on the field for his first practice this training camp as he’s been slowly ramping up after tweaking his hamstring during the team’s minicamp practices in June.
Additionally, all eyes during camp are on quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson missed the final eight regular season games and the Wild Card round of the playoffs last season after injuring his right shoulder and requiring season-ending surgery. On Sunday he practiced well, finishing the day with a long pass down the right sideline to newcomer Jerry Jeudy. The Browns will ultimately go as he does this year. The complete roster for the team is arguably better than any other year since the team returned to action in 1999 but will only go as far as its quarterback can take it.
The regular season for the Browns begins at home on Sept. 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.
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