Happy New Year Cleveland Browns Fans!
Whether your New Year’s Eve celebration was big or small, formal or informal, one thing is for sure.
When you wake up on January 1, 2022, there are two days left until the Browns take the field in Pittsburgh.
Here are the Browns Nation news and notes for Saturday, January 1, 2022.
1. Hot In Cleveland Star Betty White Has Died
Betty White, beloved actress and adopted Clevelander after starring in Hot In Cleveland, died on New Year’s Eve.
RIP Betty White 🤎🧡 pic.twitter.com/kh49kPH7AB
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 31, 2021
White was 99 years old and looking forward to her 100th birthday celebration on January 17.
Betty White could do no wrong. #OneOfUs” pic.twitter.com/7oklDf8zGa
— DollarDog Nick (@DollarDogNick) December 31, 2021
Her kindness, wit, and infectious laugh will be missed.
2. Jadeveon Clowney Wants To Return In 2022
#Browns Jadeveon Clowney said he would like to come back to Cleveland next season but those talks haven't happened yet.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) December 31, 2021
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney would like to come back to Cleveland for the 2022 season.
Clowney signed a one-year contract for the 2021 season.
No contract discussions have occurred yet.
This idea has Myles Garrett‘s stamp of approval as he has openly spoken about his desire for the defense to stay together.
#Browns DE Myles Garrett on whether he'll try to convince Jadeveon Clowney to re-sign: I'll try but you never know. Guys have their own agendas and want to be in certain places. … But at the end of the day, I want this team to stay together. I want the defense to stick together
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) December 31, 2021
Speaking of Clowney, this clip surfaced because it happened 9 years ago today.
January 1, 2013: South Carolina’s Jadaveon Clowney destroys Michigan running back Vincent Smith during the #OutbackBowl pic.twitter.com/S1JXfEglB1
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 1, 2022
The Browns need a little of that on Monday night.
3. Relying On Rashard Higgins
2021 ends with the Rashard Higgins mystery still unsolved.
He was a favorite target for Mayfield in past seasons so fans were excited that the team signed him to a one-year deal to continue creating that magic in 2021.
However, he has been missing in action this season.
In 15 games, he has 23 catches for 267 yards and 1 touchdown.
That touchdown happened way back in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt talked about Higgins yesterday.
“I think we can definitely rely on Higgy…I can see him stepping up for us…I do know when his number is called he makes plays for us.”
#Browns Alex Van Pelt on Rashard Higgins: "I think we can definitely rely on Higgy…I can see him stepping up for us… I do know when his number is called he makes plays for us."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) December 31, 2021
With pretty much the entire wide receiving room injured at some point in the season, it seems odd that Higgins’ number has not already been called often if the Browns can rely on him.
AVP’s positive words about Higgins just add to the mystery of where he has been this season when the Browns desperately needed a receiver to step up.
There must be a method to the madness; maybe we will find out what it is in 2022.
Enjoy your New Year’s Day, Browns fans!
NEXT: Steelers Lose Two Key Defenders Ahead Of Monday's Game
