For the first time, WR Brian Brennan and C Alex Mack donned their Browns Legends jackets in the City Club at Huntington Bank Field. The jackets represented two careers that became officially recognized as some of the best in Cleveland Browns history.
Brennan and Mack, along with the late Lou Rymkus, were honored as Browns Legends at the Legends Induction Dinner on Sept. 26. The event was a part of the Browns' 2026 Alumni Weekend, where Brennan and Mack joined over 80 other Browns alumni in Cleveland for a weekend of events on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. The alumni enjoyed watching the Browns practice, attended the dinner and saw the Browns defeat the Panthers in their home opener at Huntington Bank Field.
To be recognized as a Browns Legend, a player must be retired from football for at least five seasons, have been a major contributor at their positions and played at least five seasons with the franchise.
"Words can't really describe the feeling I had when I got the call from JW (Johnson) and I was overwhelmed with emotion," Brennan said. "You spend a lot of time trying to be the best you can in anything and to be recognized by the team. I'm still moved by it."
Brennan's first football memory was when his mom kicked him out of the car for a practice at Brother Rice High School during his freshman year. After his football career began with that extra push to start, Brennan later found success in the NFL. He helped the Browns reach the 1986 AFC championship game while leading the team with 55 receptions, 838 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns that season.
One memory that Mack remembers vividly was jumping into the Dawg Pound following the Browns' home opener win over the Saints in 2014. He still recalls the photo of the moment being on the cover of The Plain-Dealer. Mack finished his Browns tenure starting 101 career games, the third most by an offensive player since the franchise returned in 1999.
"I just feel like I'm part of the history of a really historic football city," Mack said. "It feels to me that the NFL started in Cleveland and to be part of the history and try to continue that legacy is an important fact."
The weekend events kicked off with the alumni watching head coach Todd Monken lead the Browns in their final practice before taking on the Panthers on Sept. 26. Later that day, the former players convened for the Legends Induction Dinner, where both Brennan and Mack gave heartfelt speeches recounting their favorite moments as members of the Browns. Browns Managing Partner JW Johnson presented Brennan with his Browns Legends jacket while Hall of Famer Joe Thomas did the same for Mack.
"Alumni Weekend is always a ton of fun, get to get a lot of guys that either live here or are out of town to come back and get to connect as a group," Johnson said. "These guys have all been brothers on and off the field, which is great to see. It's a big night and I'm excited for Alex and Brian."
The alumni in attendance for the weekend shared the same pride to have played for the Browns as both Brennan and Mack. For them, the opportunity to represent the Browns while playing in front of the Dawg Pound was a privilege they will never take for granted, and one they will always be grateful for.
"It makes me super proud to be able to tell people I'm a Browns alum because everybody knows the passion, the loyalty of Browns fans and the dedication and commitment it takes to be an NFL player," Thomas said. "And playing for one of the historic franchises of all time, it's a really cool thing to have that as one of the pelts on the wall for me to be able to celebrate and to be able to boast to people."
Following the induction dinner, former Browns G Joel Bitonio and RB Nick Chubb participated in a fireside chat moderated by Browns play-by-play announcer Andrew Siciliano. Both Bitonio and Chubb reflected on their careers with the Browns, reminiscing on how special their careers in Cleveland were to them.
Bitonio, who recently became a Browns alumnus after retiring in June, is still getting used to the title after 12 seasons with Cleveland. He said he was thrilled, though, to take part in Alumni Weekend for the first time, which highlighted the tight-knit community.
"It's different, I was used to playing," Bitonio said. "Being called an alum, I almost feel a little bit old. But it's so good to see some of the legendary guys that have played before you and get to experience that."
Alumni Weekend wrapped up with the Browns taking on the Panthers in their home opener, where the alumni met for a brunch before the game in the Draft Room at Huntington Bank Field. Brennan and Mack were honored during a pregame ceremony presented by AARP, where they spoke in front of the home crowd and were recognized as Browns Legends.
The rest of the alumni served as end zone standers and watched the ceremony from the field. Thomas was the honorary Coin Toss Captain, where he stood alongside the rest of the Browns' captains at midfield in his gold Hall of Fame jacket. Chubb was also honored, coming out of the tunnel during a break in the first quarter of the game to a roaring standing ovation from Browns fans. On Sept. 25, Chubb returned to Cleveland to sign a one-day contract and retire with the Browns.
Brennan and Mack also helped pump up the home crowd, serving as Dawg Pound captains for the game. They smashed Panthers-themed guitars and raised their arms to fire up the fans before kickoff.
"It's fantastic to come back to the city and see all your teammates," Mack said. "Beyond honored. It was never something that I really expected but I am over the moon to be in such high company."
