Browns' Myles Garrett Takes Hospital Patients On Shopping Spree

CLEVELAND, OH — Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has always wanted to take care of his family after growing up surrounded by relatives who wanted the best for him.

His fondest holiday memories revolve around family time spent together and Garrett recalls the feelings he got when he received the gifts he did. So, on Monday, the NFL star who dreamed one day of being in a position to give back did just that.

Garrett took three University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital patients and their families on a shopping spree at a local Meijer store on Monday. Garrett, who established a new single-season record for sacks in Sunday’s victory over the Baltimore Ravens, said he just wanted to brighten the day of children who are forced to spend long periods of time in the hospital.

“(I’m) just trying to be a blessing this holiday season,” Garrett told reporters after the shopping spree on Monday. “I think that’s what we all try to be to our neighbors in our community and I just have the ability and the platform to do that more than most others.

“I’m just trying to give back how I can and be the person I’ve been taught to be.”

The Browns remained in the hunt for a division championship with Sunday’s win in which Garrett scored a touchdown on a strip sack. Asked why he wanted to make an in-person appearance at the store Monday when he could have easily just written a check, Garrett said it was just part of his responsibility to be a member of the community.

Garrett said Monday that he talked one of the young recipients of the gifts into getting a book. The defensive end said he was “going to win on that one” and said that as much as toys make up the holiday season for many young people, making the next generation “the best generation” is also important.

Doing so by watching the kids shop for gifts brought a smile to his face as it reminded him of the simple joys that come to children around the holidays.

“It means a lot – face-to-face interaction is much more than just giving money,” Garrett said. “That means a lot but being able to give your time and show that you really care and being able to see (what kids) like and what they want to do – their hobbies, their passions ­– and getting to know them…I want to be part of this community and that’s part of it.”