Aug 2, 2014; Akron, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) runs the ball during training camp at InfoCision Stadium Summa Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns will hold their annual Orange & Brown Scrimmage on Aug. 7 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, the team announced on Thursday.
A start time for the free event will be announced at a later date.
This is the second year in a row the Browns have taken the event to a college site, as last year they held the scrimmage at InfoCision Stadium on the University of Akron campus.
“The intrasquad scrimmage is an important element of our preparation for the 2015 season,” head coach Mike Pettine said in the news release about the game. “Ohio Stadium will provide a great atmosphere for our team to compete, and I’m confident our players and fans will enjoy the experience.”
It is a smart move by the Browns to take the show on the road, especially to Columbus, as the city features 12 Browns Backers clubs and was fourth among major cities in TV viewers for the opening round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
“We are thrilled to bring the Browns to our State Capital and to our passionate football fans across the state.” – team president Alec Scheiner
And, let’s be honest here, as Columbus is the dividing line between the northern and southern part of the state, the Browns are doing a disservice if they don’t do everything they can to keep the youth of Columbus from growing up to be Bengal fans.
“We are thrilled to bring the Browns to our State Capital and to our passionate football fans across the state,” said team president Alec Scheiner. “The Dawg Pound extends across the state and nation, and we know they have a strong presence in the Greater Columbus area. We hope fans from throughout Ohio will be able to experience this event at The Horseshoe to complement our open practices in Berea.
“We are very grateful for the hospitality extended to us by Columbus, The Ohio State University, the Greater Columbus Sports and the Columbus Partnership to make this event a success.”
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The day will also be a homecoming for former Ohio State players Brian Hartline and Donte Whitner.
“It’s going to be huge for us,” Whitner said. “It means a lot to me personally because I lived in Columbus, played for the Buckeyes and know what type of fan base is there for the Buckeyes and for the Cleveland Browns. It’ll be special.”
Season ticket holders for the Browns will have the first change to register for tickets to the scrimmage starting on June 16. Non-season ticket holders will have an opportunity to access tickets starting on June 20.
In addition to the scrimmage, a special Columbus edition of Dawg Pound Drive will be open to the public starting three hours before the scrimmage. The event will feature an interactive pre-game space for Browns alumni autographs, meet-and-greet with Swagger, live music stage, food and beverage specials and more.
What do you think of the Browns’ plans to expand into the Columbus market?