David Njoku’s Self-Deprecating Comment on Browns Post Had Fans Laughing With Him

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku is in the midst of his best NFL season, with 69 receptions for 704 yards with five touchdown catches entering Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers—all career highs for the 27-year-old.

He’s excelled despite the burns he suffered in a frightening incident involving a fire pit at his home on Sept. 29. Just days after suffering the injury, he played in the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, and he has remained a crucial offensive weapon for the Browns’ various 2023 quarterbacks in the months since.

David Njoku played just days after suffering burns to his face earlier this season, and he’s enjoying the best season of his career for the Browns.

Scott Galvin/USA TODAY Sports

Njoku has been remarkably candid about the incident, having shared photos of his burns on social media. This week, he even poked some fun at himself in a comment on a Browns holiday graphic. 

The cartoon shows various Browns stars in a living room, with Njoku holding a gift-wrapped football next to a Christmas tree. He also happens to be the Browns player standing closest to a lit fireplace in the drawing.

“Y’all did NOT have to put me by the fire thoooo,” Njoku joked in the comments, with a slew of skull and upside-down smile emojis.

Browns fans and others on social media appreciated Njoku’s bit of self-deprecating humor.

Njoku has used his accident to serve as inspiration to others who have suffered similar injuries, so it isn’t a huge surprise to see him crack a joke like this.

“I’ve been getting a lot of messages from other burn victims and nurses that have burn victims, and they were telling me how everybody feels embarrassed to show whatever,” Njoku told reporters in October, after posting photos of his burns. “So I wanted just to come out forth and show myself so everyone feels a little bit better about themselves. End of the day, things heal.”