CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns are well represented at the 2019 Pro Bowl, and the players wanted to thank the fans for their support in helping get them to the NFL’s annual All-Star Game.
During Wednesday’s practice in Orlando, Florida, Ward and Bitonio posted videos on the Browns’ official Twitter account thanking fans for their role in helping the first-year cornerback and veteran left guard make their first trips to the Pro Bowl.
“The Pro Bowl, man,” Ward said. “Shout out to all the fans watching. Let’s get it. Go Browns.”
A two-time Pepsi Rookie of the Week (Weeks 1 and 5) and one-time AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 5), Ward finished the 2018 season among the AFC leaders with three interceptions.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of The Ohio State University, Ward ranked tied for second in interceptions and passes defended, tied for third in forced fumbles and tied for first with two fumble recoveries among first-year players.
In his 13 games with the Browns this season, the Macedonia native and Nordonia High School graduate registered 53 total tackles, 41 solo stops and 12 assists along with three interceptions, which he returned for 26 yards, 11 passes defended, one forced fumble and two recoveries.
“What’s up, guys? Joel Bitonio here in Orlando at the Pro Bowl, my first one,” Bitonio said. “I appreciate you guys for voting me in. Thank you so much. We love Cleveland. Let’s go AFC.”
Bitonio helped lead the way for a prolific rookie tandem in quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Nick Chubb.
Mayfield broke the NFL record with his 27th touchdown throw of the season with 3:24 to play in regulation of a 26-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North Division clash at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on December 30.
After taking over the first-team offense in the second quarter of a Week 3 win over the New York Jets, Mayfield completed 310 of his 486 attempts (63.8 percent) for 3,725 yards and 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.
Although Mayfield does not get official credit for the victory over the Jets because he came on in relief of an injured Tyrod Taylor, the first-year quarterback guided the Browns to seven wins and the greatest single-year turnaround in franchise history.
Of all rookie running backs who have played for the Browns since their founding in 1946, no one rushed for more yards than Chubb, as he set the franchise single-season record in a 26-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23.
Chubb finished the 2018 season, one in which he was seldom used in the first seven games, with 996 yards and eight touchdowns on 192 carries. Chubb had 11 20-yard runs, four 40-yard bursts and 47 first-down conversions.
After former offensive coordinator Todd Haley was dismissed, along with coach Hue Jackson, on October 29, Chubb rushed for 788 of his 996 yards and five of his eight touchdowns on 140 carries with new coach Freddie Kitchens calling the plays. After the changes in the coaching staff, Chubb averaged 5.63 yards per carry and became a contributing member in the passing game as well.
