CLEVELAND — It was a moment that almost seemed unattainable as the Cleveland Browns were riddled with season-ending injuries throughout their season.
Yet, it happened, and the Browns were awarded the 2023 Best Moment in Cleveland Sports at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards Tuesday night for clinching a playoff spot despite facing a series of obstacles throughout the 2023-24 season. The honor was presented by Nathan Zegura and Chris Rose to Cleveland guard Joel Bitonio, who accepted the award on behalf of the team.
Earlier in the night, DE Myles Garrett was also recognized, being named Professional Athlete of the Year. Prior to this year’s AFC wild-card game, the Browns had only made it to the playoffs two times since 1999.
Heading into the campaign, many had high expectations for the Browns as quarterback Deshaun Watson would finally be able to play a full season for the team. Those hopes diminished when running back RB Nick Chubb was injured during a Week 3 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yet again, the Browns' playoff hopes were seemingly crushed when the team announced that Watson would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery in November.
Following Watson's injury, the hero of the team ended up being none other than former rival QB Joe Flacco.
During "Thursday Night Football" in Week 17, Flacco and the Browns demolished the New York Jets 37-20, earning the team a spot in the playoffs and the club's 11th win of the season.
"I think that Thursday night against the Jets was not just special for us, but for the organization, but really across the city and our fanbase," Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday at the awards ceremony. "The level of excitement and electricity honestly can't be replicated."
Despite losing in the first round of the postseason against the Houston Texans, Berry has high hopes for the team in 2024.
"Moving forward, our goal every year is to win the division, and we really want to have more of these special moments to share with our fans on a yearly basis," he told reporters.