Fujita embraces Browns’ mission to turn it around

Associated Press

Scott Fujita knows all about what’s possible in the NFL.

In 2006, against the advice of friends and loved ones, he chose to join a New Orleans Saints team coming off a 3-13 campaign and playing home games in a disaster-stricken city under a rookie coach.

Four years later, Fujita was starring in a commemorative video released this week chronicling the Saints’ uplifting run to the first championship in the franchise’s 43-year history.

“I’ve always enjoyed the process of trying to turn teams around,” Fujita said by phone from his offseason home near Monterey, Calif. “We did that in New Orleans and I’m so excited about the opportunity to try to do that again.”

On Sunday, Fujita agreed to a three-year, $14 million free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns, with $8 million guaranteed.

Fujita, who’ll be 31 next season, said he wasn’t looking to leave New Orleans, a city for which he’s repeatedly professed his affection.

Rather, he was courted by the Browns, who offered a generous contract, a more central role in their defense than he had in New Orleans — and the chance to be part of another uplifting story in a place that could use more of them.

“It’s obviously tough leaving because everyone knows how much we love New Orleans. ... My affection for the city will never change,” Fujita said. “Realistically, making this decision wasn’t all that difficult because the Saints made the decision easy for me. They didn’t put forth too much effort and I understand that completely.

“They have a lot of young guys now that they need to start paying some money to and that’s just part of the business,” he continued. “The Browns had a demand and I think they see a good role for me to come in and help turn that team around.”

For Fujita, New Orleans’ recovery from Hurricane Katrina was something to experience rather than avoid. Even as he returns to grab some things from his residence in New Orleans’ warehouse district in the next few weeks, he’ll be continuing his community service efforts on behalf of the city. Fujita said he’ll be donating half of his $83,000 player’s share from the Super Bowl to two charities, one in Haiti and one in Louisiana that is dedicated to coastal restoration.

He also plans to appear in public service announcements promoting coastal restoration efforts, which are critical to south Louisiana’s defense against tidal surges.