Blog 7-OTA event

As Organized Team Activities (OTAs) began, not only did I get to see some players around the Berea facility, I also helped run an event during OTAs. While OTAs are not open to the public, the Browns invite small groups of people from partner organizations to come watch OTAs, meet players, and have a great time at the Berea Facility on an offseason day. This is a unique experience, as practices are closed to the public until July/August training camp. The organization that came last week to see OTAs was the Adapted Football League. For the past 13 years the Adapted Football League has helped children and adults with disabilities have the opportunity to play in organized flag football games against other teams while being safe, and having fun. It was great to see people from this partner organization as I had seen this organization in my side research project for this internship (more information about this side project in Blog 4). In the morning before the people arrived for the event, I helped set up. This involved looking for various items in the warehouse. Although it took some time, we ended up finding the necessary table, orange tablecloth, lanyards drawstring bags, water bottles, towels, and Browns flags. Next, we attached name cards to the lanyards and organized them across the table. Afterwards we put the water bottles, flags, and towels in the drawstring bags, and finished setting up the tables. This took about one and a half hours, and by the time we were done, the guests arrived. Once the guests arrived, we handed out items, and walked them over to the viewing area for the event. There were bleachers right by the practice fields where we all sat down and began watching the roughly two hour OTA practice. During this time I got to watch the team do drills, scrimmage, and more from up close which was a very unique experience. While doing this, I also had a conversation with the Adapted Football League coach about plans for the upcoming summer season, past event, etc. I also got to meet a ton of participants from the Adapted Football League, and learn their stories, and why they decided to play flag football. This was a very unique experience, and I had a great time. Once the practice was over, some players came over to meet the guests and sign autographs. I was also able to meet many players which was great. Overall, I had a lot of fun at this event, and it was a great experience to help with this event, and watch a Browns offseason practice up close. Although, I was not allowed to take pictures, this is an experience I will never forget.