Browns’ Jedrick Wills, Jr.: Why Voting Is So Critical

Cleveland Browns rookie tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is one of a new crop of players that have helped lead the often-dogged NFL franchise to a 4-2 start in 2020, one of its best in years. But off the field, Wills is doing something he says is even more timely and more critical than football.

Just like LeBron James and fellow first-time voter Shaquille O’Neal, Wills is taking time off the field to emphasize the importance of voting in the November 2020 Election and early voting in the current, ongoing election season.

“Voting is important. I haven’t been involved (as a voter) in the past,” Wills said last week by phone. “But getting out to vote is also about getting educated on what’s going on, and how you can encourage others around you to participate too.”

It’s why Wills is taking part today in an event aimed at connecting with young people. At 8 P.M. EST this evening, Haslam Sports Group’s Browns and its Major League Soccer team, the Columbus Crew SC, have partnered with the Florida Mutineers, a competitive esports team that is part of Misfits Gaming. They are combining forces to give fans who register or are already registered to vote a special chance to play Call of Duty: Warzone with pro athletes.

Members of the teams will jump into the event’s Discord server and join select fans at random in their Warzone lobby. During the night of friendly but competitive gaming, the teams will also conduct a Q&A session and offer prizes recognize individuals in their efforts to vote this November.

Wills said the event is meant to promote non-partisan voter registration, education and increased voter turnout in their local communities and throughout the nation. Fans can participate by registering today. Earlier this year Misfits Gaming teamed up with NFL athletes and gamers for a Warzone Tournament that raised $25,000 for COVID-19 Charities.

A few days ago, I spoke with Wills about voting in his first-ever Presidential Election, and also about his rookie year with the Cleveland Browns.

Andy Frye: So, you’ve registered to vote for the first time. What was it like?

Jedrick Wills, Jr: It felt good. But leading up to it, I wanted to make sure I was able to learn about issues and situations facing us, and not just who is running. The Browns and the other teams are holding this event that we’re doing, which is a video game tournament. The push is to talk about the importance of voting, but video games is a fun way to get young people involved.

AF: The Cleveland Browns have had a good start. How do you feel about the 2020 season so far?

Wills: It’s been good but the work is tough. A good start, but we fell short two times. No one wants to lose, so each week it’s about getting better. And each day we work together as a team to try to turn our program around, and I think we’re doing that.

AF: The AFC North is a tough division, in part because the Steelers are always good. Talk about combating AFC teams week-to-week.

Wills: Sure, it’s a tough division, but you keep your focus week in and week out, and rise to the challenge each week to teams you know you’re going to see again in the future. But we are just trying to get better within the week, so that each week we focus on getting the win, knowing that each week it’s going to be a fight. For the Browns and our offense, it’s also making sure that we don’t get distracted, and just come to work.

AF: You played college ball at Alabama, which is known for tremendous success. Now you are part of a team that’s fighting to win.

What’s the transition been like for you, from Bama to the Browns?

Wills: What people don’t see perhaps day to day is that the Cleveland Browns are a group of hard working guys. Inside the locker room it’s a hard-nosed team, and everyone wants to hold themselves accountable to move this team to a new level. And like at Alabama, there’s still a group of guys eager to get to work.

Read Frye’s interviews with Jerome Bettis, Larry Fitzgerald and Melvin Gordon.