David Njoku attracts famous names, big crowd to celebrity softball game

EASTLAKE — Current and former teammates, a Browns legend, thousands of fans.And half of one of the world's most famous couples.The list of attendees Saturday at Classic Park illustrated the span of David Njoku's appeal. In his first year as the host of the annual celebrity softball game, the big names came out.None more famous than Travis Kelce.Zone Coverage PodcastThe Cleveland Heights native has three Super Bowl titles, nine Pro Bowls and four All-Pros as Chiefs tight end. He's also in a relationship with Taylor Swift.Njoku's draw isn't that powerful. She's on tour in Scotland.Kelce was a late arrival on the gorgeous afternoon, took the field to loud cheers and quickly stepped into the batter's box for the home run derby. He won it, tossing the bat, circling the bases and getting mobbed.Nick Chubb 'where I need to be' in recovery from knee surgery but doesn't give timetable for return"That's my guy, man," Njoku said of Kelce, who didn't talk to reporters. "He's one of the purest human beings I've met in my life, honestly. Always means well. Just great overall dude."Kelce went on to win Home Run Derby, flipped his bat and circled the bases. https://t.co/oRfBYcVt0J— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) June 8, 2024https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsNjoku's come a long way since he was drafted No. 29 in 2017 at 20 years old. His first Pro Bowl appearance came last year after a breakout season — career highs with 81 catches, 882 yards, six touchdowns — and his maturation has been praised by coaches and teammates.Putting his name on the softball game doesn't carry the same weight but is another sign of his evolution, including the connection with Northeast Ohio fans. Joe Haden, Jarvis Landry and Greg Newsome II were previous hosts."This is awesome," Njoku said. "It's a great turnout, too. I see so many smiling faces, and that's really what it's all about."It means everything. The vibes are immaculate today."Among the A-listers on the two rosters were former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar — he threw out the ceremonial first pitch — Browns Pro Bowlers Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper and Denzel Ward, Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson and former teammates Josh Gordon, Kareem Hunt, Jacoby Brissett and Jabrill Peppers.MMA athletes and social media influencers filled out the lineups."I have a lot of friends, man," Njoku said. "I'm so grateful for everybody to come."Njoku needed years and a second contract before he reached his on-field potential. It also took time for the fans to fully embrace him.He's become beloved by many and has become a vocal defender of Cleveland."I love Cleveland," he said. "I appreciate the city of Cleveland tremendously. Just becoming a man here, there's a lot that entails with that. That's just like a general statement, but it's so much deeper than just that statement. I'm blessed. I'm truly blessed to be here."#Browns David Njoku: I'm truly blessed to be in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/76G0LzhFEP— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) June 8, 2024https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsKosar has known Njoku since he was in high school. Njoku then went to the University of Miami decades after Kosar did."With his confidence and self-esteem in the community, hat's off to him that he's able to do this," Kosar said. "But where he's come on the field with that even more so. A lot of people when he got drafted maybe were down on him, but he was 20 years old. I love what Travis Kelce's doing, but David Njoku's up there as one of the elite tight ends in the game and it's not just because I'm a Browns fan and it's not because I'm his friend. He's an elite tight end in the league and what he brings now in his ability to catch the ball is awesome, but the way he's an in-line blocker … you can't get many guys better than him."Njoku didn't attend the voluntary organized team activities the last three weeks but will be at mandatory minicamp Tuesday through Thursday."I'm excited for Deshaun, myself and the whole team," he said. "The energy's always so high the first few days, so we just got to keep that energy flowing throughout the whole year."Njoku's outstanding 2023 season came despite a scary firepit accident in which his face and arms were burned. He played two days later.He was asked what he can do for an encore on the field this season."Just be better than last year," he said.How?"Work my a– off," he said.The post David Njoku attracts famous names, big crowd to celebrity softball game first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.