When Alex Mack first started playing football around the age of 11, the physicality of the game stood out.
His big frame wasn't a negative. After trying basketball as a kid — where he was constantly called for fouls — Mack was rewarded for his physicality in football and was applauded when the other kids bounced off him.
"That was really fun and exciting to have a sport that felt like it was designed for me," Mack said. "And I always had fun; I really enjoyed it."
One successful NFL career later, Mack, along with former WR Brian Brennan and T Lou Rymkus, will be inducted as the 2026 Class of Browns Legends.
On Sept. 27, in the Browns' home opener versus the Panthers, Brennan, Mack and Rymkus will be honored during a pregame ceremony, officially becoming Browns Legends.
The Browns honor the men who have contributed to the success of the Browns organization. The Legends Program started in 2001 with the automatic induction of the Browns' then Pro Football Hall of Famers along with the initial class of five other inductees. An eight-person selection panel chooses the players to be honored. To qualify as a Browns Legend, the players must have played for the team for at least five years, been a major contributor at their respective position and been retired from the NFL for at least five years.
Mack was drafted by the Browns with the 21st overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of the University of California at Berkley. In seven seasons with Cleveland, Mack started every game he appeared in, including not missing a start in six of those years. He earned Iron Man status after starting 85 games and playing 5,279 consecutive snaps to begin his career. In total, Mack started in 101 games with the Browns and is one of six players to start at least 100 games for the Browns since the team's return in 1999 – joining Joe Thomas (167) and Joel Bitonio (178) as the only offensive players to accomplish that feat.
Mack was selected to three Pro-Bowls while with the Browns in 2010, 2013 and 2015 — the most by a Browns center. In addition to his Pro-Bowl selection in 2013, Mack was named an All-Pro in 2013 as one of the best centers in the NFL.
"I enjoyed my time in Cleveland," Mack said. "We didn't always win games, but it was transformative for me as a player. I thought it absolutely is where I learned the most and grew the most."
Being inducted alongside Mack is Brennan, who was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL Draft at 104th overall, coming out of Boston College. After being selected by Cleveland, Brennan spent the first eight years of his nine-year NFL career with the Browns from 1984-91.
Brennan was speechless when he received the news. It was hard to describe what it felt like to receive such an honor.
"I just love the Browns, I will always be a Brown," Brennan said. "I tried hard as a Cleveland Brown and it just means a lot to me."
Brennan's best season came in 1986, when he led the 12-4 Browns with 55 receptions, 838 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Brennan ranks among the Browns all-time career leaders, sitting at fifth in receptions with 315, ninth in receiving yards with 4,148 and tied for 15th in receiving touchdowns with 19.
Brennan played 117 regular season games for the Browns, helping them reach the postseason five times in his eight seasons with the franchise. The Browns won four division titles and reached three AFC Championship games during his tenure.
The final member of the 2026 Class of Browns Legends is Rymkus, who played with the Browns from 1946-51. Rymkus helped the Browns to four straight AAFC Championships from 1946-49, earning an All-Pro Second Team selection in 1948.
With Rymkus as the starting right tackle in 1950, the Browns won the NFL Championship in their first season in the league. In his six seasons with the franchise, Rymkus started 78 games. Rymkus, who passed away in 1998, was an integral part of one of the most dominant eras of football in Cleveland history, and his name will now be etched in as a member of the 2026 Class of Browns Legends.
