The Cleveland Browns on Tuesday appointed Andrew Berry as its Executive Vice President of Football Operation and General Manager.
The appointment makes the 32-year-old, the youngest known General Manager in the history of the NFL.
Despite his young age, Berry boasts of loads of experience and understanding of the game administratively. He first joined the Browns in 2016 as a vice president of player personnel.
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Working first under Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown and then General Manager John Dorsey, Berry helped lead all talent evaluation efforts for the club, including college prospects and NFL free agents, according to Cleveland Browns’ website.
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Berry further helped in overseeing the club’s scouting department and worked closely with other high-ranking members of the front office.
During Berry’s three seasons with the Browns, the team selected at least one Pro Bowler every year: LB Joe Schobert (fourth round, 2016), DE Myles Garrett (first round, 2017), CB Denzel Ward (first round, 2018) and RB Nick Chubb (second round, 2018), the team’s website reported.
“We are thrilled Andrew will lead our football operations,” the Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam and his wife Dee said.
“We have always been profoundly impressed with him as a consummate professional who has meticulously studied his craft every place he has worked and is extremely dedicated to utilizing every resource to improve an organization and to enhance his own knowledge. He will be a tremendous partner with Kevin as he embraces the critical nature of his relationship with the head coach. We know he can’t wait to get to work.”
A graduate of Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in computer science, he played football for the Crimson, starting all four years at cornerback and earning All-Ivy League honors three times before pursuing an executive role.
Prior to his first stint with the Browns, Berry worked for the Indianapolis Colts for seven years (2009-15), as a scouting assistant originally. He was then promoted to pro scout in 2011. A year later, he was elevated to pro scouting coordinator and served in that role for his final four seasons with the club.
During Berry’s tenure in Indianapolis, the Colts won four AFC South titles, made five postseason appearances and advanced to Super Bowl XLIV, according to Philadelphia Eagles website.
Also according to the Browns website, in Berry’s one draft with the Eagles, Philadelphia used a second-round pick on RB Miles Sanders, who went on to lead all NFL rookies in scrimmage yards with 1,327 and set an Eagles rookie rushing record with 818 yards.
Excited by the history-making appointment, Berry said: “I’m honored and blessed to lead the Football Operations of the Cleveland Browns.”
“I’m appreciative of the Haslam family for entrusting me to be a steward of a franchise that is so rich in tradition and history. The passion for football courses through the veins of Northeast Ohio in a manner that is unique to that of any other region.
“Our fan base’s devotion to the Browns is the catalyst for such affection for the sport. Rewarding YOU all—our loyal and faithful Dawg Pound—will energize and motivate me daily to attack the challenge ahead of us.”
