TE Aaron Shea Hired as New Director of Player Engagement

by Chris Pokorny on Jul 20, 2011 10:20 PM EDT in General News

The Cleveland Browns have hired former tight end Aaron Shea as their new director of player engagement. That position was previously held by Jerry Butler for 12 years before he was let go following the 2010 season. Per the Plain Dealer, Shea's duties will include, "helping players transition into and out of their careers and help prepare them for life after football."

Shea retired a couple years ago, but his employment with the Browns is nothing new. In an interview with annarbor.com at the end of May, Shea talked about his love for being around the organization (he helped sell suites and was involved in some front office stuff last year):

Q: You like that job?

AS: "I love my job, love being around the game of football, getting to know (Browns head coach) Pat Shurmur. I’ve known Pat and I know Pat’s a Michigan State guy, but he’s a great guy. He recruited me. I've known Pat since 1994 and I couldn’t be more happy with the way Michigan’s headed and the way the Cleveland Browns are headed. Being around guys like Pat Shurmur, coach (Mike) Holmgren, (general manager) Tom Heckert, these are football guys. I’m a football guy. Who knows what the future holds, but as long as I’m working for the Browns, I’m a happy guy."

Q: What are those aspirations? Do you want to be higher in the front office?

AS: "I think you always want to move up. I set goals for myself but I’ve been told you have to be patient with your goals, work hard, keep your mouth shut and just do your job and things will take care of themselves."

He did move up into what sounds like a more secure, long-term position with the team.

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maybe i’m the only one but i think this is great news and now i completely understand why Butler was let go. of course this will have little to nothing to do with the product on our field, but it makes me happy as a Browns fan to see a player i’ve always respected from our organization have the opportunity to help support us again.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 21, 2011 12:35 AM EDT reply actions

I love this. I always liked him as a Browns and Wolverines fan. Great character. Wish him well.

I guess there's only one thing left to do.....win the whole ******* thing. - Major League

by 24rubikscube on Jul 21, 2011 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I remember reading about Butler when he was first fired, and from what I was reading, he was very effective at his job and letting him go was a mistake (there’s more to it than preparing players for life after football.). Sentimentality is no reason to think it was a good move.

(If all the nachos are stuck together, it only counts as one nacho.)

by North Coast Flea on Jul 21, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

none of us know the real story, so my respect for Shea is all i have to work with. i’m happy to see someone respectable was able to secure Butler’s previous position.

Yvan Eht Nioj.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jul 21, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions