For many Cleveland Browns fans, Monday's Myles Garrett trade felt like losing more than just a star player. It felt like losing the face of the franchise.
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Shortly after news broke that the Browns were sending the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster deal, fans across Northeast Ohio reacted with a mix of shock, disappointment and frustration.
"I'm really sad about it," one fan told WJW Fox 8. "I don't want him to leave."
Another called Garrett "the heart of the Browns."
It's easy to understand why.
Since arriving as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett became one of the most dominant defensive players in football and one of the most popular athletes in Cleveland. Whether he was chasing down quarterbacks, leaping over offensive lines or decorating his famous Halloween "quarterback graveyard," Garrett always seemed to give fans something to talk about.
Winning wasn't always easy during his time in Cleveland. Still, Garrett gave Browns fans a reason to watch.
"He's like the best player we've had since we came back," one supporter said.
Others pointed to the impact Garrett made away from the field. Throughout his career, he became a regular presence at charitable events, youth programs and children's hospitals throughout the Cleveland area.
Many fans felt he genuinely embraced the city.
"He always seemed like he wanted to be here," one fan said.
Not everyone reacted with anger. Some admitted they were disappointed but understood the business side of football and the realities of roster building.
Others simply chose to focus on Garrett's legacy. The six-time All-Pro leaves Cleveland as one of the greatest players in franchise history and a likely future Hall of Famer. Now he'll continue his career in Los Angeles, where he'll join a Rams team with Super Bowl aspirations.
As difficult as the trade may be for Browns fans, many still found themselves rooting for Garrett's success.
One fan summed up the mood best.
"Thank you for everything you did for the city of Cleveland. I hope you win a ring in L.A."
The trade may have ended Garrett's time with the Browns. It certainly hasn't changed how many Cleveland fans feel about him.
