BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio and back up quarterback Jacoby Brissett were voted the 2022 season award winners by the local chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Bitonio was named the Joe Thomas award winner as the player of the year while Brissett received the Dino Lucarelli ‘Good Guy Award.’
Bitonio, named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive time, has played every snap this season. He is the first Browns guard to be named to five consecutive Pro Bowls since Hall of Famer Gene Hickerson, who made six straight from 1966-71.
Bitonio has helped the Browns rank among the league leaders in most rushing categories this season and has opened holes for RB Nick Chubb, who is second in the NFL in rushing yards.
Bitonio joins Thomas (2014 and 2016) as the only offensive linemen to win the award.
Brissett, who started the first 11 games of the season in place of suspended starter Deshaun Watson, was recognized for his professionalism on and off the field this season while navigating a unique situation.
Seven different players received votes for the ‘Good Guy Award,’ which is given annually to a player for his cooperation with the media and for the way the player carries himself in the community and with his teammates.
Brissett is the first Browns quarterback to win the award since Josh McCown in 2015.