Myles Garrett
DEFENSIVE END
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Demonstrates Excellence on the Field
Myles Garrett currently leads the NFL with 9 sacks and recently extended his active streak of consecutive games with at least one sack to six, which is a new Browns record, the longest active streak in the NFL and a personal best. It marks the first time a player has had a streak of six games with at least one sack in the first seven games of a year since Lorenzo Alexander in 2016. Additionally, Myles has four forced fumbles (tied for first in the NFL), all of which were strip-sacks in key moments of Browns victories, and two opponent fumble recoveries (tied for first in the NFL). The pair of fumble recoveries also ranked him tied for first in total takeaways among all defensive linemen. Additionally, he is tied for third in the league in quarterback hits (13) and tied for first in pressures (21). He now has 39.5 sacks in his career, the fourth most sacks by a player in his first 44 career games and the third most by a first-round draft pick in the same span. Myles took sole possession of fourth in Browns history in sacks. Following a 49-38 win at Dallas in Week 4, Myles was also named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week, his first such accolade of his career. He recorded three tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble to help propel the Browns to an important road victory and open the season 3-1, the team's best start since 2001. He became the first Browns player to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week since LB Joe Schobert in Week 12 last year and the first Browns defensive end to win the award since Kenard Lang in Week 1 of 2004. Myles was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (1st overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. In addition to his Week 4 AFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition, his career awards/honors include: 2018 Pro Bowl selection, second-team All-Pro honors (2018), 2017 PFWA All-Rookie team honoree and Browns 2017 Maurice Bassett Award winner, given to team's most outstanding rookie during training camp.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
In his fourth season with the Browns, Myles has proven his dedication to the community through a variety of outreach efforts, most notably in his role with the Waterboys program. In his fourth year of serving with the program and his second as the active player captain, he helps the foundation work towards its goal to bring clean water to communities in need in East Africa. In early 2020, Myles traveled to Tanzania for a two-week trip to help install wells. Once the season returned in September, he announced his Tackle Thirst Campaign, where he pledged $5,000 to the Waterboys organization for every sack he makes this season. He also enlisted Browns fans and Cleveland-area businesses to take the pledge, with a goal of raising $95,000, representing his number 95 and giving clean water access to 9,500 people. As of Week 8, Myles leads the NFL with 9 sacks, which has resulted in more than $45,000 in personal donations, in addition to contributions from Browns fans. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Myles has been active in meeting the community's needs, including a donation of 24,000 pounds of food and other necessities to Cleveland Hope Exchange, a Twitch gaming live stream for WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and PSA, hosting a Run with the Pro Virtual 5K for Alzheimer's Association, teaming up with GV Art + Design to raise money for the Footpath Foundation, visiting a Pennsylvania family who lost their house in a fire, and being active in social justice and voter messaging.
Myles is a prominent leader on the team in the social justice space. He has personally reached out to victims of police brutality and covered funeral costs for David McAtee, who was shot and killed by police in Louisville, KY this summer. Aired on NFL Network, Myles shared the story of local 24-year-old, John Saunders, who was shot during a protest against police brutality. He also recognizes Saunders on his helmet during games. Additionally, after meeting with teammates to discuss ways they can better serve the Cleveland community, he started a petition to criminalize racist hate speech. Myles serves on the Browns Social Justice Committee, being a leader for his teammates and encouraging dialogue on the topic of equality. Recently, he made a generous contribution towards helping close the Digital Divide in East Cleveland Schools and beyond. As Cleveland was named one of the worst connected cities in the country, the contributions from players matched by the Browns will help provide much needed resources to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to address education equality in our community. The organization could not be more proud of Myles for using his voice to create positive change in our communities.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Myles has shown commitment to Browns Give Back's Education, Youth Football and First and Ten volunteer efforts. Last year, he led a Browns First and Ten Tuesday visit at Akron Ellet High School, breaking ground on the ninth multi-sport playing field installed as part of the Browns' and Haslams' commitment to education and youth football. Myles has consistently supported Browns Youth Football over the years by participating in youth clinics and camps, as well as welcoming high school teams to the Training Facility. He has also supported Browns Salute to Service efforts by engaging with active service members, veterans and Gold Star families at Training Camp, filling care packages for troops overseas and welcoming WWII veterans as they visited the Training Facility in honor of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. He has participated in hospital visits, as well as holiday events, including serving meals to those in need for Thanksgiving and shopping events with local kids. In all four years with the team, Myles has participated in My Cause, My Cleats, supporting both the Waterboys organization and Multiple Sclerosis Society. Additionally, Myles has enjoyed giving back in the Pro Bowl's Day of Service.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
By consistently supporting Browns Give Back initiatives, and modeling excellent leadership though the Waterboys program as well as social justice efforts, Myles goal off the field is to make a positive and lasting impact in the Cleveland community. He is especially committed to supporting the needs of East Cleveland and will continue to work to provide resources for families in need. Pre-COVID, Myles made a point to visit with children and families the Browns hosted on the sideline for each game, while inviting his teammates to do the same. He would often toss the football with kids and give away his gloves to create memorable experiences, especially for guests with illnesses and disabilities. Myles has special passions and interests and enjoys sharing them with the Cleveland community. He has written poetry since he was a child and still writes poems on a weekly basis. This summer, Myles spent an afternoon reading poems and talking about life experiences in a video call with a group of kids from Open Doors Academy, a youth development after-school program in Cleveland that works to protect, inspire, nurture and challenge the youth to reach their full potential. Also, as a dinosaur enthusiast, Myles has visited and supported the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, working with the intern program in the department of Paleontology. Additionally, Myles has consistently proven to be a leader for his teammates on and off the field, including in his role as a member of the team's Social Justice Committee. He has made an even more concerted effort this year to be more vocal and offer a solid example to all Browns players throughout the year, including as one of the Browns' top defensive leaders and performers. The Cleveland Browns are honored to name Myles Garrett their 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee.
