Friday night was more than just the home opener for Brooklyn High School's varsity football team. It was a celebration of community, opportunity and progress.
The evening marked the official dedication of the 17th Browns synthetic turf field installed in Ohio. Brooklyn's field was made possible through the support of the Browns, the Haslam and Johnson families, Browns Give Back, and the NFL Foundation Grassroots Grant, a partnership between the National Football League Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
Program Officer for Community Development with LISC Walter Morris explained how the field will be used for generations to come, emphasizing the broader impact of the project.
"This re-dedication marks more than just a revival of a stadium," Morris said. "It reflects the power of partnership and together, this shared vision reflects the steadfast commitment to creating opportunities and enriching communities."
The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, a partnership between the NFL Foundation and LISC, is a nationwide effort to enhance the quality, safety and accessibility of local football fields. For over 25 years, the program has provided critical funding and resources to build and upgrade community fields across the country.
The Browns launched the field project in 2016 when the team funded the installation of five new fields in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District over a two-year span. Since then, the initiative has helped build 17 turf fields in total across Northeast Ohio, with Brooklyn's installation marking the latest milestone.
"Looking at this field and this installation, when we think about education, we look at these fields as really outdoor classrooms," Chief Communications Officer of Haslam Sports Group Peter John-Baptiste said. "Students who are involved in extracurricular activities – when they're playing football, when they're in the band, when they're playing soccer, when they're out in the community – typically they're really engaged in school, and it makes the parents become engaged in school. That's so important to our efforts and the future of the youth here throughout Northeast Ohio."
Brooklyn City Schools Superintendent Dr. Theodore Caleris also highlighted how the new field will benefit students far beyond just the football team, extending to most other sports and Brooklyn youth.
"We are incredibly grateful to the NFL Foundation, the Cleveland Browns and LISC for their generous support in helping our district replace the turf field at Brooklyn Stadium," Caleris said. "This investment not only enhances our athletic facilities but also strengthens our entire school community by providing students, families, and residents with a safe, high-quality space to come together. We are excited about the opportunities this grant will create for our students and the Brooklyn community for years to come."
The night also served as the kickoff for the 2025 Browns High School Game of the Week, a weekly program that invites fans to vote for two featured high school teams. Sponsored by Ohio Cat, ForeverLawn and Howard Hanna, the program awards $3,000 to the winning school each week. Since its start, the initiative has garnered nearly eight million community votes.
Despite a tough loss to the Grand Valley Mustangs, spirits remained high. Brooklyn fans, students, alumni, Browns supporters and Chomps turned out in force to celebrate the new field and rally behind the Hurricanes.
"This amazing partnership is a reflection of the community centered philosophy of the Brooklyn city schools," Caleris said. "Bringing together and supporting our students and building lasting pride in our city."
Earlier this year, the Browns and ForeverLawn broke ground at Collinwood Athletic Complex, learn more here.
