Cleveland Browns: Make Saturday, April 14th ‘Jump in the Lake Day’, coach Jackson
By Mike Lukas
Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson said he would jump in the lake, and we know the right time for him to make good on that promise
The list of Cleveland Browns off-season ‘Important Dates to Know’ in Cleveland.com is obviously incomplete.
It shows the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis (Feb. 27-March 5) and the Franchise or Transition player designation deadline (March 6), but between the opening of free agency (March 14) and the first day of off-season workouts (April 16) there is absolutely ZERO mention of Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson’s ‘Jump in the Lake Day’.
Not so fast, Mr. Jackson.
It’s old news, but just in case it’s slipped anyone’s mind (ahem, Hue), back in January of 2017, after completing a 2016 Browns season with only a single win, Jackson told Pat McManamon of ESPN:
"“I’m not going 1-15 (in 2017). No. I’ll be swimming in that lake over there somewhere. That’s not happening.”"
He got that right – Browns went one loss worse than that at 0-16.
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Cut to the end of December when he was asked about that vow to jump in Lake Erie and he told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com and the rest of us:
"“Obviously I’ve got to get wet. I get it. I can pick a day and get everyone out there, we’ll all be in swimsuits and trunks and snorkels and all that.”"
We all heard him say it, yet it’s nowhere in the off-season schedule or press releases – not a peep.
Of course, nobody who’s reasonable expects him to make good on this promise until springtime. Not even the Cleveland Polar Bear plungers could complete their yearly dip into the freezing waters of Erie January 1st since for the first time in a long time the lake was completely iced over. It will take at least a couple of months for the “ten foot of marble” to melt down into water that, according to Global Sea Temperature, reaches an average of a balmy 40 degrees around April.
Regardless, coach Jackson said he would do it.
Here’s the awkward part – Browns fans don’t exactly expect Hue Jackson to do what he promises anymore. With all due respect, he hasn’t done any of the other things he said he would do, like win games in 2016 and 2017, for instance.
He’s a die-hard football man so it’s very likely he understands Cleveland fans’ reluctance to take his word on anything football related, at least until some different results start rolling in.
A ‘Jump in the Lake Day’ announcement would be a terrific way to jump-start the trust machine.
How about Saturday, April 14? It’s the last weekend before teams with returning head coaches are permitted to begin off-season workouts (Apr 16) so to plan it any later than that would interrupt more important things. What a great way to begin re-building Browns fans’ trust by making good on a promise while benefiting an important cause, The Hue Jackson Foundation to end Human Trafficking in the Cleveland area.
Don’t be nervous, coach, it’s been done before.
In 2016, Cleveland.com’s Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes said he would jump in the lake if the Tribe went to the World Series, and when the team gloriously followed through on their end of the bargain, Hoynes made good on his. He even recorded a hilarious video that includes footage of his own chilly dip and a few pointers to help Coach Jackson with his.
Set the date and follow through, coach.
And please don’t be afraid that the haters will be there – watch footage of the Browns ‘Victory’ parade in January and you’ll see that Browns fans don’t get angry the same way certain other teams’ fan bases do (achoo – Eagles). True Dawg Pounders prefer dark humor over aggressive words or actions, so of course be prepared to be slightly razzed. But show up and take it like the football man you are and you’ll win back a bit of the respect these last two horrible seasons have lost you.
Make Saturday, April 14th ‘Jump in the Lake Day’, Coach.
The rest of us will clear out our calendars. We’ll make an off-season tailgate party out of it and grill up some ribs and burgers and just like you said yourself,
"“we’ll all be in swimsuits and trunks and snorkels and all that.” — Jackson via Cabot"
Silly as it is, a ‘Jump in the Lake Day’ will show Browns fans that coach Jackson understands just how important it is to do the things he’s promised.
Next: Examining the Browns QB situation
Then maybe we’ll start believing him on the more important things again.