BEREA, Ohio — World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc./NXT superstar Johnny Gargano is admittedly an eternal optimist when it comes to his favorite football team, the Cleveland Browns.
Speaking with WKYC.com following Saturday’s training camp practice in full pads, Gargano, a native of Cleveland, expressed confidently that 2019 will be a special season for the Browns.
“I’m here right now. I’m feeling the electricity,” Gargano said. “I want to say 16-0 because while I’m here, I’m not going to say they’re going to lose any games. Idealistically, maybe 13-3. That’s being idealistic, 13-3, but I am a forever optimist as a Browns fan, so you know what? Screw it. 16-0.
“The showman in me loves the idea of Baker, Odell and Jarvis, seeing the commercials and just seeing how fired up they get on the sidelines and everything like that, it’s very exciting. It’s a very exciting time to be a Browns fans, and it’s something that I’ve been waiting for, for a very long time, and I can’t wait to see this season.”
Gargano took in practice from the sideline, and following the two-hour-plus session, he spoke with Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“I grew up cheering for the Cleveland Browns,” Gargano said. “I love the Cleveland Browns. I used to come to training camp. I used to be outside those lines over there. I used to have my little football, tried to get an autograph. I remember once I got a Jeff Faine autograph. I was super pumped about it. Now, to be back and be on this side of the field where I can do a little bit more stuff, it’s pretty crazy, man.”
Right on cue, as Gargano answered questions, dogs belonging to the owners of a property adjacent to the Browns’ training facility began barking, and ever the showman, he rolled with the brief interruption.
“Dawg Check. Dawg Check, right? Dawg Check, sweet,” Gargano said. “It’s so amazing, and I continuously say I’m living a dream, and today’s another instance of that.”
Gargano was not alone in living the dream on Saturday.
Gargano was accompanied by his wife, fellow NXT superstar Candice LaRae, as well as NXT commentator Vic Joseph, himself a Northeast Ohio native, and gained quite an appreciation for what pro football players go through during training camp.
“I have a very particular set of skills that I can do, but there’s no way I can do what they can do,” Gargano said. “Especially seeing them this close up, they’re some of the best athletes in the world, bar none. I know we have some pretty great athletes ourselves, but to come here and see them up close, see what they’re able to do…
“I tried to catch a football an hour ago, didn’t do very well. I haven’t tried to catch a football in like 10 years, not good anymore. I have a very particular set of skills that I’m capable of. They have a very particular set of skills they’re capable of, but I very much appreciate watching them.”
Following the brief visit to training camp, Gargano will turn his focus toward his NXT Championship rematch against Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver in Toronto on Saturday, August 10, and when his hand is raised in victory, he promises to return home to Cleveland and celebrate.
“I am very excited,” Gargano said. “I think the Browns are going to win the Super Bowl, I’m going to bring back the NXT Championship, and we’re going to have the biggest parade Cleveland’s ever seen.”