Β© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
How Does Cleveland Native Denzel Ward Feel About Browns Stadium Situation?
Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam told reporters last month that there are two options for where the Browns will play their home games in the future.
The future of the Cleveland Browns stadium remains a hot button issue across Northeast Ohio.
Just last month team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam told reporters at the annual owners meetings that they're down to two options for where the franchise will play its home games beyond 2028, when the lease expires on their residence at Cleveland Browns Stadium in downtown. They'll either split the bill on a $1 billion renovation to the current stadium with the city, or break ground on a new facility on a plot of land in Brook Park they are working on acquiring.
The latter option consists of 176 acres of land with close proximity to the airport. That property would also allow the Haslam's to explore building a state-of-the-art domed stadium, which could bring even larger events to the area.
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For Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, Cleveland is home. He knows all too well the tradition that comes with the franchise playing games along on the lakefront. Still, the Nordonia High School alum is open to change.
"I'm a Cleveland guy so I appreciate all the history that's gone into the stadium that we're playing in currently," said Ward on Tuesday. "I enjoy playing in the conditions and having the roof open and everything. But nothings wrong with change though. If we end up deciding to move the stadium I'd be open to it. Wherever I can go play some football I'm cool with it."
"Playing football in the elements" has been a common plea from many Browns fans in this ongoing debate over stadiums future. Many even believe it provides a home field advantage of sorts for the hometown Browns during the cold winter months.
Conversely, a new domed stadium would serve as an entertainment mecca of sorts, providing fans with a climate controlled space to enjoy games. More importantly though, it allows for perfect conditions for the team to perform at its best on Sundays.
Ward's comments echo those of other players who have spoken on the subject. A couple weeks back, star quarterback Deshaun Watson declared that he was team dome on his podcast, QB Unplugged.
After signing one-day contracts with the Browns to officially retire with the franchise, WR Rashard Higgins and LB Christian Kirksey also expressed similar sentiments as Ward earlier in the day.
The next several months will be telling in terms of what the future holds for the Browns stadium. Wherever they end up, Ward's comments should carry some weight with the Cleveland faithful.
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