Andrew Berry told a story about a rival GM and his former boss reaching out to him after the Browns’ Week 17 playoff loss to the Jets.
Cleveland Browns Stadium was a zoo around 11pm on December 28th.
The Cleveland Browns secured a playoff spot with a convincing win over the New York Jets and became one of the hottest teams in football.
The field was a soccer paradise. David Njoku yelled into the Thursday Night Football cameras, “We’re going to the playoffs,” Jim Schwartz broke down the defense on the field in front of five fans, and Juan Thornhill yelled, “Playoffs!”
He lifted the board. I signed up for it and life was good in Cleveland. December 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill (1) celebrates after the Browns beat the New York Jets at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
General manager Andrew Berry remembers many moments from that night, but the most memorable moment for him came later.
When the party ended, Berry looked at his phone and saw a text from his former boss, former Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco.
Telesco was Berry’s boss in Indianapolis, and despite his enormous success, Berry laughs when he recalls how “pretentious” he was.
But on that Thursday night, Telesco was proud of his student.
In his message, Telesco said:For Berry, this was more than just the tip of the cap.
People outside the Browns building in Berea saw what was happening in Cleveland and realized how impossible the Browns season was.I saw him every week.
This Cleveland Browns team was finding a way to win.
They wrestled with each other and played for their brothers who sat next to them.
Despite the season ending in controversy, these Cleveland Browns left a mark on the entire league.Anthony Moglin
