CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns continue to be at the forefront of the fight against social and racial injustice.
Earlier this summer, the team launched #BeTheSolution, a direct call to action for all Browns fans, players, coaches and staff to get into the social justice arena. On Thursday, the Browns announced a partnership with ESPN Cleveland and 'Build the Bridge,' to help carry that call to high school football teams across the area.
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The Browns and ESPN Cleveland will highlight teams, athletes and coaches participating in the initiative, designed to empower, develop and unify high school football teams through meaningful interactions between programs of different racial and/or socio-economic demographics.
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. The program creates opportunities for all team members to build relationships and mutual respect between diverse communities, regardless of their race, class or creed.
“Bridges connect people, and this initiative seeks to bring together coaches and players from predominantly black teams with predominantly white teams to have those uncomfortable conversations concerning race and social injustice,” said Creel in a statement. “Football is and always will be the ultimate team sport that brings all races and cultures together in the same locker-room. Build the Bridge was created to break down walls that separate us for no reason. At the end of the day we are all the same, and true conversations will reveal that.”
Once two schools are matched through “Build the Bridge,” they plan an event focused on personal connections by conducting a collaborative discussion on social justice and race relations, competing with one another on the field or in the weight room and a shared meal to complete the day. Following the meetings, coaches and athletes are encouraged to remain in regular contact throughout the year to spark additional dialogue and strengthen team bonds.
Although this year’s events may happen virtually or in a socially-distant format due to COVID-19 protocols, more than 80 Northeast Ohio high school football teams have already signed up to participate in 2020.
Earlier this summer, "Build the Bridge" brought more than 50 student athletes and 20 coaches together for an event at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.
The Browns' partnership with "Build the Bridge" comes on the same day that the team announced an alliance with the Indians and Cavaliers “to develop a sustainable and direct strategy to address social injustice facing the city of Cleveland and all Northeast Ohio communities.”