Matt Florjancic, Contributor to ClevelandBrowns.com
10.29.2009
It took 9 hours and 28 minutes for Jennifer Kohorst to drive nearly 575 miles from Mount Pleasant, Iowa to the Browns training facility in Berea, but every stop to refuel the car, every pothole and every traffic jam was worth it.
Kohorst accompanied her seven-year old son, Keegan, to Berea on Thursday after he was chosen as the Cleveland Browns Kids Club TOP DAWG Jr. Reporter of the Day. All TOP DAWGS were asked to write an essay about who their favorite Browns player was and why or why they love the Browns.
In his essay, Keegan wrote of his father's love of Notre Dame football and Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. Not too long after the Browns drafted Quinn, Keegan's father passed away. Now when the boy watches Quinn and the Browns, he feels a close bond with his father, who was a sports reporter in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
It was Keegan's wish to interview Quinn, in honor of his father.
Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini concluded Thursday's press conference by welcoming Keegan to Berea. The Jr. Reporter was then surprised with a special opportunity to interview Quinn one-on-one. The interview included questions like "What is your favorite color?" and "What do you like to eat on game day?".
Quinn autographed Keegan's hat and football and then Keegan presented Quinn with a hand-made belated birthday card, which Quinn told Keegan he would hang in his locker.
"This the best gift I've ever received," Quinn told Keegan.
"I kind of heard them rumbling in the back saying that he might be coming," Jennifer said of Quinn. "It was overwhelming. Of course, we hoped we would get to see Brady Quinn. To actually have it happen, it's incredible."
"This is my best uniform," said Keegan, who donned a white No. 10 Quinn jersey. "I can't believe I got my hat signed. I didn't even know it was going to be this fun, but it was."
Finally, Keegan's day in Berea came to a special finish when he was invited by Mangini to watch practice with members of the Browns media.
Keegan and his brother were given gift bags, media guides, and finally given a tour of Cleveland Browns Stadium.
"It's amazing," a tearful Jennifer said. "There's no joy like seeing your kids happy. This has been definitely a joyful day. It's been a great experience. I can't imagine another franchise caring as much about a little seven-year old as this franchise has."
