Pettine is talk of Greater Cleveland Sports Awards

The Plain Dealer

Cleveland

The time arrived for Cleveland Browns fans after 24 days of anguish, despair and ridicule.

Mike Pettine became the eighth coach of this franchise since 1999 on Thursday, and quarterback Brian Hoyer, a Cleveland native, is as satisfied as many Browns followers.

Hoyer sees through the dark mood that loomed over the city.

“Listening to him talk today gets you excited,” Hoyer said at the 14th Annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards at the Renaissance Hotel. “He talks about accountability, and mental toughness.

“Those are things I definitely agree with. That’s part of a winning culture.”

There was plenty of talk about Pettine and plenty of award winners on display.

Hoyer, who presented the Collegiate Athlete of the Year Award to Michigan State’s Connor Cook, has recovered from the torn ACL that he suffered in Week 5 against Pettine’s former team, the Buffalo Bills. Hoyer said he’s been running and throwing and he’s on track with his rehab.

“I know Coach Pettine from playing against him during my years in New England, so I know how difficult his scheme was to prepare for,” Hoyer said. “I’m excited.”

Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, is happy the search for a coach is over.

“Since the team has been back, we’ve wanted the program to get restored and we hope it’s right this time,” Kosar said.

Getting it right, at least under Pettine, comes with a coach who has a tough guy persona. Intense, passionate and fierce have been used to describe Pettine. Those attributes don’t always equal success.

“I liked coaches that understood the game,” Kosar said. “When you’re genuinely fiery, when it’s passionate, players can tell.

“He has the reputation for being fiery for the right reasons. I talked to [former Bills QB] Jim Kelly and he spoke highly of him.”

Honored at the dinner were:

High School Athlete of the Year

Dante Booker, football, St. Vincent-St. Mary: Booker, a linebacker, led his school to the state title. Booker, who committed to Ohio State, is also the Ohio Div. III Defensive Player of the Year.

Professional Athlete of the Year

Josh Gordon, wide receiver, Browns: Gordon, who made his first Pro Bowl, became the first Brown to lead the NFL in receiving yards (1,646 yards on 87 receptions). Gordon’s per-game average of 117.6 receiving yards ranks sixth in NFL history.

Collegiate Athlete of the Year

Connor Cook, football, Michigan State: Cook, a sophomore QB, led the Spartans to an 11-1 record and a Rose Bowl victory. He completed 58 percent of his passes and passed for 2,423 yards. Cook is a graduate of Walsh Jesuit.

Amateur Athlete of the Year

Dartanyon Crockett, USA Judo, Cleveland: Crockett, who is legally blind, won the bronze medal in judo in the London 2012 Paralympics. He won a gold medal in the Senior National Paralympic Championships as well as a silver medal in the German Open for the visually impaired.

Best Moment in Cleveland Sports

Jason Giambi’s walk-off home run on Sept. 24 against the White Sox.