That encouragement to be a part of something bigger stems from his educational background as a former social studies teacher. Kyle has worked in the education system for about 15 years and currently is a guidance counselor at Orange High School.
When Kyle was growing up, he had a number of teachers and educators that had an impact on his early educational journey. He still keeps in contact with numerous teachers to this day, sending text messages or meeting them in person. Those connections inspired Kyle to pursue a career in education.
“I wanted to help students and kids like how they helped me. They kind of made me the person I am,” Kyle said. “I just I love being an educator. The best way I could describe it – I know this is going to sound super corny – but I always think of my kids when I get to make my son smile, when I get to give them a gift or make their day surprise them, I actually get that same moment a lot of times with kids in my office as a school counselor. And just to see like that happiness that comes off of them, that’s kind of why I love education, because just to build camaraderie. […] I always tell my students, ‘I care a lot about you. I’ll be here whatever you need.’ And I know that’s something most educators say, but I take that to heart because of what everybody has done for me to make me the person I am.”
He has built similar connections with his own former students and players, becoming an ordained minister and officiating the wedding of a former student. Rebecca said they run into former students frequently who remember Kyle as their counselor and have attended weddings of others. Former students who have graduated have also stayed in contact with Kyle, reaching out to have conversations during difficult times in their lives.
Even through the challenges that being a school counselor can bring, Rebecca looks to find ways to remind Kyle of the impact he has on a daily basis with students. She has saved all the cards and notes he has received from students who have graduated over the years and will pull them out to leave for Kyle to read.
“It’s so nice to know that he makes such an impact on everyone he meets,” Rebecca said. “It makes me feel really good that our kids will always have somebody like that. He could talk to anybody, and I think he just has a sign above him that’s like ‘I’m here if you need me.’ […] He makes such a difference in so many people’s lives and it’s a thankless s job really, and I’m so glad that his students and people around him have him because he’s just great.”
Connection is at the heart of not only Kyle’s work, but also his fandom. Through his interactions with current and former students, family, friends and other Browns’ fans, Kyle finds ways to bring groups of people together and celebrate.
“I think people need their tribes. I think there’s like a solace in that and like to bring people together and that’s what I love. Like I’ll go somewhere, wear a Browns shirt and just a random person will say, “Go Browns.” And I think that’s so important because it kind of breaks down barriers between people,” Kyle said. “Everybody’s a Browns fan and just being a part of Cleveland that I’m so proud of. And I wear with it a badge of honor being from here and whenever I think of Cleveland, the first thing that comes to my head is the Browns. And that’s what I love.”