Myles Garrett gave everything he could to the Cleveland Browns. So with the two-time Defensive Player of the Year heading to the Los Angeles Rams after Monday’s blockbuster trade, he wished the city he called home for nine years a heartfelt goodbye.
Here’s some of what Garrett had to say in a lengthy statement posted to social media.
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“Cleveland made me tougher,” Garrett wrote. “You challenged me. You taught me about perseverance, about showing up even when things aren’t easy, and what loyalty really looks like. Through the highs, lows, setbacks, injuries, expectations, inclement weather, and difficult seasons, you all kept showing up. I never took that for granted.
“To the Dawg Pound—thank you for embracing my family and I from Day 1. Thank you for every packed stadium, every moment of belief, every kid wearing my jersey, every message, every criticism, every expectation. I respected that then and I respect it now. I wish I could have done more for you.”
It’s hard to imagine Garrett doing more Cleveland than he already has. The former No. 1 overall pick tallied 125.5 sacks over nine seasons, including a record-breaking 23.5 this past campaign.
Garrett even set the Browns up for the future, as the Rams paid a pretty penny to acquire him: former Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick.
It’s a clear win-win deal, and as Garrett prepares to play for a Super Bowl contender for the first time in his career, he’s not forgetting where he started.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Myles Garrett bids sweet farewell to Browns after blockbuster Rams trade