EASTLAKE, Ohio — Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry ingratiated himself to Northeast Ohio football fans with amazing catches, an uncanny ability to throw down-field passes with accuracy, and also, the shiftiness to carry the ball out of the backfield during the 2018 season, his first with the with the team.
And Landry is looking to continue to developing that bond with the fans while doing some good for those in need by partnering with the Lake Health Foundation in hosting the inaugural Jarvis Landry and Friends Celebrity Softball Game at Classic Park in Eastlake on Saturday, June 15. Gates will open at 3 p.m. with the Home Run Derby beginning at 4 p.m. and the softball game to follow at 5 p.m.
“It’s part of the reason why I’m here, and when I say here, it’s not exactly Cleveland,” Landry said while speaking to media at The Cove at Classic Park Thursday. “I’m just in a position and the platform that I have, to be able to inspire kids, to be able to do football camps, to be able to be in the community, to be able to partner with these guys and put something together for the community, for charity, for bigger things than myself.
“For me, I personally believe that’s what God put me here to do, be an influence, be an inspiration to other people and help.”
Landry will participate in the Home Run Derby alongside select celebrity guests and professional softball players. Following that competition, the seven-inning softball game will feature interactive experiences between players and fans, as well as giveaways and the chance for select fans to get autographs.
Tickets for the event range from $20 to $47. Fans can purchase bleacher seats for $20, Premium Box Seats rows A and B for $47. Lower Box Seats in rows C and D for $37, and all other box seats will be $27.
Tickets can be purchased at captainsbaseball.com, jarvislandrysoftball.com or by calling the Captains’ Box Office at 440-954-WINS (9467).
Acquired by the Browns from the Miami Dolphins for draft picks last March and promptly signed to a lucrative multi-year contract extension, Landry lived up to the hype in his first year in Cleveland, as he made impactful plays in multiple ways for the offense.
Landry turned his 81 receptions into 976 yards and four touchdowns, rushed for 60 yards and one score on just three attempts and completed one of his two passes for 63 yards. Additionally, Landry completed a two-point conversion pass to quarterback Baker Mayfield in a 21-17 win over the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium in Week 3.
“I played baseball all the way up through high school,” Landry said. “It’ll be the first time with a bat in my hand for a long time, so we’ll see.
“I think football was kind of always just the choice for me. I was really good in baseball, but in baseball, you’re standing in the sun, standing in left field. I was standing in left field, center field, and it just got boring back there. It just got too boring for me.”
