CLEVELAND -- Some rookies and young players in the National Football League look to veterans for guidance on and off the field of play. They go to them for advice on learning the game at the professional level and how to study opponents.
For Cleveland Browns quarterback 
Briggs is a highly-decorated Vietnam veteran who earned the Bronze Star and Soldiers Medal of Heroism for his actions in the conflict.
Yount volunteered to help Briggs because the military is something near and dear to his heart. His grandfathers both served, one in the Army and the other reached the rank of gunnery sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. Yount’s father was a captain in the Marine Corps and his best friend, a Marine first lieutenant, is preparing for a possible deployment overseas.
“I love being a part of the community and doing the outreach stuff, Yount said. “It’s something I love being a part of and supporting. Anything I can do to come out here and help these guys is more than worth a couple hours on my Thursday. A lot of them make the ultimate sacrifice and they’re over there risking their lives so we can be over here playing football and enjoying our lives. Anything I can do and anything we can do is well worth it and we should be doing it.”
McCoy also has a military history in his family. His grandfathers and one cousin have all served during times of war.
In addition to Thursday’s project, McCoy has taken part in several other charity events this offseason, including a player-initiated visit to Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation.
“It’s important,” McCoy said of volunteering in the community. “This is the first year I’ve been able to do this. Last year, we weren’t here. We were locked out and back home and trying to figure out a system. This year, we’re here and for me, it’s been great. I’ve been able to see the city, do things like this on a weekly basis and also, learn the offense a little bit. This is a great time for me.”
