The Cleveland Browns gathered their rookies for their first official camp with the franchise since the NFL Draft. After a day of getting geared up and getting their first taste of working with the Browns, the team treated the rookies to dinner with special guests Jim Brown and current Browns lineman Joe Thomas. Thomas may not be the most recognizable face to most of the new Browns players just yet.
Thomas took to Twitter to share some of his quick thoughts from the rookie dinner, sharing his appreciation for getting a chance to listen to the legendary Jim Brown. Thomas also called out a faux pas of one of the newest Browns players, tight end David Njoku. WWhen meeting the long-time Browns lineman, Njoku thought Thomas may have been a coach on the team.
Funniest moment of the night was when @David_Njoku80 asked me if I was a coach!
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) May 12, 2017
.@David_Njoku80 I told him I'm a player/coach. Mostly I'll be coaching, but you will see me playing on sundays. ?
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) May 12, 2017
Thomas has been around the league and the team for some time, so it’s possible he has had a similar experience in the past. Regardless, poking some fun at a rookie on Twitter is a bit of a good-humored public shaming to keep the new tight end in line moving forward. And Njoku seemed to laugh it off at his expense on Twitter as well, and we’re sure the two had a good laugh in the moment as well.
?????♂️??♂️??♂️ https://t.co/QGsLVssI4K
— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) May 12, 2017
Njoku shouldn’t feel too bad. Unless you are a quarterback or running back or wide receiver, the chances you would be recognized in the public may be significantly reduced if you play almost any other position in the NFL. This could be especially true of linemen who play an underappreciated position that often goes without the recognition some players deserve.
Let this be a lesson to all incoming NFL players that it is best to know the faces of your future team captains and leaders on the field as early as possible. Otherwise, you risk being publicly shamed on Twitter, and there is no coming back from that.
[FTW]