BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have announced that longtime sideline reporter Nathan Zegura will replace the retired Doug Dieken as color analyst on the team's radio network starting this fall.
Zegura, who has been with the Browns since 2014, will team with 3News' Jim Donovan, who has been the team's play-by-play voice since its return to the NFL in 1999.
With Zegura moving up to the booth, three-time Super Bowl champion Je'rod Cherry has been tapped to fill the role of sideline reporter.
Dieken retired following the end of the 2021 season after 35 years as the color commentator for Cleveland Browns games on the radio.
Browns Executive Vice President and Partner JW Johnson said in a statement following Wedensday's announcement, "Both Nathan and Jerod have proven their ability to connect with Browns fans and our city during their time in Cleveland, which is integral to the listening experience we strive to create. Nathan’s enthusiasm and intimate knowledge of our organization set a strong foundation as he offers in-depth, personal analysis to complement Jim’s extraordinary play by play from The Doug Dieken Radio Booth. Additionally, Jerod’s experience as a three-time Super Bowl champion will give our fans a special understanding of what it means to play the game from a player’s perspective on the biggest stage directly from the sideline."
For Zegura, this fall won't be the first time that he will have sat in the booth with Donovan. During the Browns' 2017 game in London, Zegura filled in for Dieken who was not able to make the trip. This role provides the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for Zegura.
“It all still feels surreal to me,” Zegura said. “This is a dream come true. It’s amazing, and I get to go do it with the best play-by-play guy in the NFL, and that will make things a lot easier. I think I’ll be able to bring the fans some different perspectives with being in the numbers, having relationships with the coaches and players and hopefully just be a little accoutrement to the great Jim Donovan. It’s a tremendous honor.”
Zegura has served as the Browns gameday sideline reporter since 2014.
Cherry, a former NFL player and Super Bowl Champion of Super Bowls 36, 37 and 39, has made Cleveland his home after retiring from football in 2004. He is a long time employee of ESPN Cleveland, where he currently co-hosts "The Next Level". Cherry has worked with the Cleveland Browns Radio network and Cleveland Browns TV as a pre and post game analyst.
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