As Browns owner Jimmy Haslam wrapped up his speech Tuesday night during a National Football Foundation awards banquet, he offered advice to some of Northeast Ohio’s top high school players and coaches. “Most of the lessons that I’ve learned in life, candidly, came through athletics and I think particularly football,†Haslam said. “The great thing about football is it’s the ultimate team sport. No matter what position you play, if you don’t do your job, you’re going to let the team down. Candidly, that’s the way life is, that’s [the] business that we play in, and you’ve got to count on everybody on your team.†Perhaps no member of an NFL organization is more important than its owner, and many Browns fans aren’t sure whether Haslam can practice what he’s preaching. Their faith has understandably wavered since federal agents raided the Knoxville, Tenn., headquarters of Haslam’s family business, Pilot Flying J, on April 15 as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged fraud scheme. “I apologize to the city of Cleveland, Northeastern Ohio and all Browns fans because the last thing we ever wanted to do as a new owner was detract from football and the Browns and just what a great football area this is and so I apologize for that,†Haslam said after his speech, addressing the local media for the first time since the raid in a separate room at the LaCentre Conference and Banquet Facility. “We feel badly about it, and we’re very comfortable we’ll work through this situation.†Haslam, the CEO of Pilot Flying J whose $1 billion purchase of the Browns from Randy Lerner was unanimously approved by NFL owners Oct. 16, did not take questions from reporters. Source: Akron Beacon Journal
