/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63011908/DyxAJcrWsAAZaZr.0.jpg)
The 19th Annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards took place Thursday night in at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Grand Ballroom. ESPN’s Hannah Storm was the emcee for the event, and the “Professional Athlete of the Year” award went to Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield, who beat out fellow teammate CB Denzel Ward, Cleveland Indians pitcher Corey Kluber, and Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez. Former Indians catcher Sandy Alomar Jr, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Baker Mayfield Takes Home the Top Award
He may have been short-changed in the NFL offensive rookie of the year voting, but QB Baker Mayfield took home the top award at the event, “Professional Athlete of the Year.” Browns owner Dee Haslam, GM John Dorsey, and head coach Freddie Kitchens were at the event along with Mayfield.
.@BernieKosarQB presented @bakermayfield with @CLESports' Professional Athlete Of the Year award #CLESportsAwards pic.twitter.com/IKIVrT3f36
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 7, 2019
“If you believe in me, I’ll probably take a bullet for you,” said Mayfield as he accepted the award. “I can’t thank this city enough.” The media flocked to Mayfield backstage afterward. Here he is talking about expectations for the 2019 season:
#Browns QB @bakermayfield on expectations being lofty for 2019 season #3Browns #CLESportsAwards @wkyc pic.twitter.com/TQLVy5LL55
— Matt Florjancic (@MattFlorjancic) February 7, 2019
And then what it means to win the professional athlete of the year award:
#Browns QB @bakermayfield on winning Pro Athlete of the Year at #CLESportsAwards @CLESports @wkyc pic.twitter.com/Mm6QeO4RJv
— Matt Florjancic (@MattFlorjancic) February 7, 2019
And lastly, here is Mayfield talking about building on the foundation created this past season moving forward:
#Browns QB @bakermayfield on building on foundation from 2018 season moving forward #3Browns #CLESportsAwards @clesports @wkyc pic.twitter.com/vFzGj5cK4n
— Matt Florjancic (@MattFlorjancic) February 7, 2019
Silent Auction
It only makes sense to capitalize on the popularity of Browns QB Baker Mayfield when it comes to raising money. The starting bid for Mayfield’s college jersey was $1,000. The starting bid for the NFL Draft helmet started at $400.
Baker Mayfield autographed NFL Draft helmet and Oklahoma jersey available at the silent auction here at #CLESportsAwards #Browns pic.twitter.com/3yRrjYgp5k
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 6, 2019
Plenty of amazing auction items up for bid at #CLESportsAwards. Great mix of sports and entertainment offerings @CLESports @wkyc pic.twitter.com/2IGJKThIfd
— Matt Florjancic (@MattFlorjancic) February 6, 2019
Bernie Kosar Talks Baker Mayfield
Bernie Kosar is a staple at these awards every year, and beforehand, he was raving about what QB Baker Mayfield can do in 2019:
Former #Browns QB @BernieKosarQB sees bright future ahead for team and QB @bakermayfield #3Browns #CLESportsAwards @CLESports @wkyc pic.twitter.com/ziqpxyoPz6
— Matt Florjancic (@MattFlorjancic) February 6, 2019
Mascots United
It’s always fun to see all the Cleveland mascots united in one spot:
All three Cleveland sports teams represented at the #CLESportsAwards pic.twitter.com/18ip2tHW8Q
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) February 6, 2019
Moment of the Year
The Browns were also involved in the sports moment of the year — the Bud Light fridges being unlocked after beating the Jets!
Browns' Bud Light-fridge opening, 19-game winless-streak snapping win over Jets gets Cleveland sports' "Best Moment" of 2018 at #CLESportsAwards
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) February 7, 2019
#Browns GM John Dorsey, owner Dee Haslam and Coach Freddie Kitchens pose for a photo after winning Moment of the Year at #CLESportsAwards @CLESports @wkyc. pic.twitter.com/S3dtJ64ZZR
— Matt Florjancic (@MattFlorjancic) February 7, 2019
Loading comments...