Manny Diaz's influence apparently travels to the NFL.
Diaz, now the defensive coordinator at Penn State, of course, instituted the famed 'Turnover Chain' during his tenure as head coach at the University of Miami.
Sunday, the Cleveland Browns followed Diaz's lead and seem to have adopted a sideline trophy tradition of their own.
Sunday afternoon in Baltimore against the AFC North division rival Ravens, Myles Garrett's defensive teammates bestowed a massive chain around his neck following a second-half sack of Lamar Jackson.
Every QB's worst nightmare - Myles Garrett (1.5 sacks) with his chain on. #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/KahvrpoXCI
— Bookies.com (@bookies) November 12, 2023
As the fourth quarter began, Garrett had already logged 1.5 sacks, upping his total for the 2023 campaign to 11, including a 3.5 sack outburst against the Tennessee Titans back in Week 3 of the season. Garrett and the Browns' defense wreaked havoc on Jackson and the Ravens' defense, in the second half, powering a comeback with Cleveland pulling to within a touchdown in the game's final nine minutes.
In addition to his 11 sacks, Garrett has already produced 39 total quarterback pressures, underscoring his dominance.
Sunday against the Ravens, Garrett joined some elite company, joining Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Lawrence Taylor, John Randle, DeMarcus Ware, and Jared Allen as the only players to reach at least 10 sacks in six consecutive seasons. This season, Garrett reached that mark by Week 9.
Myles Garrett has joined Reggie White, John Randle, DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen, Bruce Smith and Lawrence Taylor as the only players to record six consecutive seasons with at least 10 sacks.
— Dan Murphy (@DMurph_BrownsPR) November 12, 2023
Through the first 92 games of his career, since being chosen No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Browns, Garrett has logged 84.0 sacks with 17 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
One of the most feared defensive players in the entire sport, Garrett is a two-time First-Team All-Pro, and given his fast start to this season could wind up in the mix as the 2023 Defensive Player of The Year.
The Browns' defense was instrumental to Cleveland's second-half comeback in Baltimore, and Garrett is a significant reason why.
