CLEVELAND – As the Browns return to Huntington Bank Field for their matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the organization will spotlight NASA astronaut Suni Williams as Dawg Pound Captain while also recognizing its commitment to advancing equitable opportunities through the NFL's Inspire Change initiative.
Since 2002, the Dawg Pound Captain has been an honorary gameday role in which a special guest takes the field before kickoff to rally Browns fans and energize the Dawg Pound. In 2021, the Browns introduced a new element; the Dawg Pound Captain now also ceremonially smashes an opposing team's guitar to set the tone for gameday. Over the years, the role has been filled by local legends, celebrity fans and Browns alumni.
For the Browns' Week 16 matchup, the Dawg Pound Captain will be Suni Williams, an Ohio-born pioneering NASA astronaut who holds the record for most total spacewalking time by a woman. For more than 25 years, her courage and dedication have laid the foundation for upcoming Artemis missions, taking humans back to the Moon and beyond.
A retired U.S. Navy Captain, Williams is a veteran of three space missions, Expeditions 14/15, 32/33 and 71/72. She launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, for its first crewed flight to the International Space Station. Following NASA's decision to return Starliner uncrewed, Williams became a member of Expedition 71/72 and returned to Earth in March 2025 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Over the course of her career, she has logged 608 days in space and completed 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalk time, the most of any female astronaut and fourth most in NASA history.
"I'm excited to serve as the Dawg Pound captain for this Sunday's game. I love the loyalty of this city and its fan base. They lead with their hearts and stick with their team," said Williams. "At NASA, it's all about teamwork, and as my team gets ready to take the next giant leap back to the Moon, we're going to need a strong, loyal fanbase just like the Browns to support us through Artemis and beyond!"
Through more than 25 years of service, Williams' work has laid critical groundwork for future Artemis missions, helping advance humanity's return to the Moon and exploration beyond. From the Wright brothers' first flight to modern space exploration achievements, Ohio, especially Cleveland, has played a pivotal role in aerospace innovation. NASA Glenn Research Center, which neighbors CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, is the only NASA center in the Midwest and continues that legacy by transforming aviation, revolutionizing space exploration and inspiring new discoveries through aerospace innovation.
Alongside the celebration of gameday tradition, the Browns will also recognize their annual NFL Inspire Change initiative during Sunday's game.
The Inspire Change initiative aims to reduce barriers to opportunity, particularly within communities of color, and highlights how the NFL family is working together to create positive, lasting change. As part of the initiative, the Browns have nominated Dr. Henry Pettiegrew II, Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent of East Cleveland City Schools, for the team's 2025 Jim Brown Inspire Change Changemaker Award.
Since his appointment in 2019, Dr. Pettiegrew has led a significant turnaround at East Cleveland City Schools. Prior to his leadership, the district ranked near the bottom of Ohio's state rankings and was consistently graded an "F" on the Ohio State Report Card. Within one year, the district rose 62 spots statewide and has since achieved a 3-star rating, meeting state standards for the first time in district history.
Through collaboration with the Browns, Dr. Pettiegrew also helped reduce chronic absenteeism by 10.3% during the 2024–25 school year through the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network. In 2020, he played a key role in securing $350,000 to address the digital divide, ensuring students and families had access to necessary technology.
The annual award honors local leaders creating meaningful impact across Inspire Change's four pillars: education, economic advancement, police-community relations and criminal justice reform. Dr. Pettiegrew will be recognized during the game in an on-field ceremony. He will receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to benefit a nonprofit organization of his choice.
About the Cleveland Browns and Browns Give Back:
The Cleveland Browns are committed to championing education and youth football, while also creating equitable opportunities for advancement in our community and throughout Ohio. For more information, visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/brownsgiveback and follow @BrownsGiveBack.
About Stay in the Game! Attendance Network:
Launched in 2019 by the Cleveland Browns Foundation, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and Harvard's Proving Ground, the SITG! Attendance Network, now managed by Battelle, works together to reduce chronic absenteeism by bringing together experts, partners, and communities. Together, Stay in the Game! partners with 220+ districts and impacts more than 600,000 students throughout Ohio. For more information, visit https://stayinthegame.org/.
