Cribbs ready for spotlight

McClatchy Newspapers

CLEVELAND

Cleveland sports fans are looking for an heir to LeBron James’ vacant throne, and Browns Pro Bowl kick returner Josh Cribbs embraces the idea of becoming their new king.

No, Cribbs doesn’t want to be featured on a mural in downtown Cleveland like James was before he chose to leave the Cavaliers and join the Miami Heat.

But he doesn’t have a problem with becoming the most beloved sports figure in Northeast Ohio, either.

“I embrace it because I feel like some of the values I hold strong to myself are the same values that the city should hold strong to itself, and [it does],” Cribbs said. “Not being drafted and coming from the bottom to reach the top is something that speaks for itself, and I think that’s what Cleveland is. ... It’s one of the most loved cities and one of the most hard-working cities.”

Since James’ infamous decision, sports talk radio and Web sites have been buzzing about Cribbs, a Kent State University graduate, supplanting James as the area’s most popular athlete. Cribbs even took part in the conversation this past week via Twitter, when he posted a doctored picture of himself adorning the Landmark Office Tower, where a gigantic Nike banner of James hung for years across the street from the arena.

“I’m hurt. I would have loved to see [James] still be in a Cavaliers uniform and still root for him while he’s at the Q,” Cribbs said. “But I wish him the best.”

Although Cribbs concedes he was entertained by the picture on Twitter, he has other ideas for replacement murals.

“It should be something that signifies the city altogether,” Cribbs said. “Some people even on Twitter have said, ‘We don’t need a poster.’

“But most people were feeling like they did because it feels like a void is there. But I think it should be something that unites the city, [a sign that reads] ’Believeland’ or something like that, or a collective collage of all the sports or all the blue-collar people in Cleveland pulling together to reach one goal.”