Joshua Cribbs: Pay This Man

As this NFL season winds down, Browns fans are divided about the direction. They all believe one thing, Pay Joshua Cribbs. Josh Cribbs has always been a ray of sunshine for Browns fans.

Josh knew he outplayed the bad contact he signed before OTA’s began. What did he do, did he knock the football to the ground when the kickoff came his way? Did he whine to the media that he wasn’t getting paid enough? Did he stop playing for a team who had no chance to reach the playoffs? The answer is simple No!

In a day where athletes have become celebrities, Josh was always a Clevelander. He was misled by his boss, he wasn’t treated fair, and he was outperforming his economical value. Josh is America, he lived the dying dream. He went out and worked hard and took what deserved a roster spot.

From a college quarterback star to the 53rd man on the roster, that is a hard transition. It wasn’t for Josh he did whatever it took to be a player. Josh was willing to learn special teams because he liked to have a job. Sound familiar sure it does because most of us are willing to give up ego to live our dream. That’s why the bond to Josh in Cleveland is so strong, he is everybody he did it he made it.

He didn’t stop there; some guys would have played a year and would have been happy to tell their grandkids “I was in the NFL”. Not Josh, he wanted to be the best, he took the dream and literally ran with it. To watch this guy run a kickoff back is a thing of beauty, he represents every Clevelander working late, two jobs, or just trying to put food on the table. Watching him you see yourself, he will do whatever it takes to pay that bill, to feed his family and score that touchdown. He signed a contract that pays him more money than most Browns fan will make in their lifetime. He plays special teams, you have to be football smart, you sign a contract and you should honor it. Those arguments are very valid.

When Josh wanted a new contract what did he do? Did he sit out minicamp, yea he did for 1 day because he knew that you can earn what you deserve by working hard for it. Did he sit out training camp? Nope! Did he mail in the season, if you think breaking the all-time record for kickoff returns is mailing it in the UPS should call Josh. Has he whined and cried about it all season? No, it is not in Josh Cribbs blood or Cleveland blood to do that.

A guy who works hard, doesn’t complain, and is good at his job deserves one thing. To be treated fairly. PAY THE MAN