BEREA, Ohio — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
When the Cleveland Browns face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, it will mark the first time since Jan. 13, 2020, that Odell Beckham Jr. and Justin Jefferson have shared a football field.
According to Beckham, he has some unfinished business with the fellow LSU alum.
After all, the last time that Beckham and Jefferson were on the same field wasn't for a game that both of them played in, but rather LSU's victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff Championship Game at New Orleans' Mercedes Benz Superdome. After watching Jefferson and the Tigers win college football's 2019 national championship, Beckham joined the celebration, infamously handing out cash to Jefferson and some of his LSU teammates on the field.
The only problem? Beckham's actions constituted an NCAA violation, which ultimately resulted in the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver being banned from his alma mater for two years. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, however, Beckham made light of the incident, claiming that he'd be seeking reimbursement during the Browns' trip to Minnesota.
"I talked to him yesterday and told him that I'm going to be coming for that $400-$600 he might owe me -- plus interest, from the championship game," Beckham said with a smile. "That's the only reason I'm making the trip is to get this $400-$600 from him."
In all seriousness, according to Beckham, his relationship with Jefferson dates back further than last year's national title game. Jefferson's older brother, Jordan Jefferson, was the LSU's quarterback during Beckham's freshman season in 2011 -- a season that ended with LSU losing to Alabama in the BCS Championship Game.
In the years since, Jefferson has developed into one of the NFL's top wide receivers, earning second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie last season. Yet despite having known him since he was 12-years-old, Beckham still views the 22-year-old Jefferson the same now as he did 10 years ago.
"I can't even remember how old he was coming to the facility," Beckham said. "I just remember seeing him the same way, like, I was young growing up and he just kept evolving. I always knew he was going to be a special player. He really is my little bro -- like my family. I love him to death."
Locked On Browns:
On the latest Locked On Browns podcast, Jeff Lloyd previews the Browns' upcoming matchup against the Vikings with Luke Braun of Locked On Vikings.