The Boca Raton Army Airfield was established during World War II in Boca Raton, Florida. Who would have ever guessed that in 1961 it would be transformed into a university? Not just any University but my very own alma mater, Florida Atlantic University. That’s right I claimed it as my own.
Not only did I grow up as a feral child chasing small adorable owls around campus while my mom completed her master’s degree, but I was formally introduced to the fierce burrowing owl. It was tiny yet extremely mighty. To me this became an allegory of the fledgling football program that was growing up around me while I was completing my undergraduate degree.
Schnellenberger and FAU
Photo Courtesy of AP/Pat Carter
A gentleman by the name of Howard Schnellenberger was hired as the head coach for the brand new Florida Atlantic University football team. As per usual I had zero idea the importance and gravity of who this specific head coach was besides the fact that he would drive a very fancy car around campus. At this time please remember I was a starving art education student.Our faculty parking lot looked like a used car lot from the 1980s. The juxtaposition would always make me giggle in retrospect.
Mr. Harrison Bryant!
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire
Finally I know what you’re thinking: stop talking about your school and let’s get talking about our very own cherished Cleveland Browns. As you may remember I’m an extremely passionate person. Let me introduce you to the most exciting player to come out of FAU and impact my very own Cleveland Brown fandom. Introducing Mr. Harrison Bryant, number 88.
To my excitement not only did he come from my school but boy did he carry some extremely impressive statistics with him. Harrison Bryant won, unanimously by the way, the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate TE. This granted him a magical draft pick from the Cleveland Browns. Again am I going to take credit and say I manifested this to happen? Yes! Yes I am.
All jokes aside, the Browns picked Harrison Bryant in the fourth round of the 2020 draft. Thank you fellow twin Andrew Berry. Never in my life have I ever been so proud to have an FAU player on my favorite team.
My open love letter!
Number 88? I wear your jersey around Boca Raton Florida with so much pride I get verklempt.
Much love from your overly enthusiastic super fan, @Brownsfangurl!
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