CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 the Fan) – The legend of Cade York continues.
York was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week Tuesday after his 58-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining propelled the Browns to their first Week 1 victory in 18 years, 26-24 over the Panthers.
While fans might still be delirious, York has already moved on.
“I mean, awards-wise, the week is over,” York said Wednesday. “So it doesn't really matter anymore. We've got 20 weeks left, hopefully, so just getting back to it.”
York scored the final 13 points for the Browns in the victory and his 14 total points scored tied for the lead among all NFL players in Week 1.
York’s game-winner has sent the hype into overdrive. He’s already a rock star.
“I would not be the one to notice said ‘rock-star status,’” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He has his head on straight. He knows that he has to keep working at it.”
Unbeknownst to York, they’re already making t-shirts for him.
“That’s cool,” York said.
Long snapper Charlie Hughlett, tied with Joel Bitonio as the longest tenured Browns players on the roster, isn’t the least bit jealous he has yet to get one made in his honor.
“I had no idea he even had a t-shirt,” Hughlett said smiling. “But that’s fine. Nobody needs to make t-shirts for me. It is very cool, though, it’s very cool. I’m very happy for him.”
The fourth-round draft pick was perfect Sunday afternoon in Charlotte hitting both of his PATs and his three other four field goal tries – 26, 34 and 36 yards – in addition to the game winner.
York received an overwhelming reception at the annual Taste of the Browns event Monday night from fans, but understands that fan is short for fanatic.
“I had a good game, but next week's a new game,” York said. “Cleveland could hate me after next game, so it doesn't really mean anything. So, you kind of gotta stay pretty even-keeled, because if you're a roller-coaster, there's ups, but there's also downs.”
York is quiet, yet confident.
He doesn’t command attention but earns it.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett appreciates how York carries himself, in addition to the ability to bang home kicks from midfield.
“One, from a rookie, that's rare, but from a kicker, that's even more rare,” Brissett said. “But he puts in the work, so he should be confident. He should want the ball in his foot at the end of the game.”
The Browns definitely do.
York’s 58-yard field goal is tied for the second-longest in franchise history.
Had the officials not picked up that flag and penalized Brissett for intentional grounding on his double spike attempt to kill the clock, York was ready to go out there for a 68-yarder.
“From what Prief said, yes, we would've gone out and attempted it,” York said.
His game winner splashed into the net with ease and some think he might have had the 10 yards to spare.
“I don't really know,” York said. “There wasn't a Trackman or anything out there, but maybe.”
York is the fifth rookie in NFL history to win Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 1. He is the first Browns player to win the award since punter Jamie Gillian in Week 2 in 2019 and the first Browns kicker to earn the honor since Phil Dawson won in Week 15 in 2005.
The win was Cleveland’s first to open a season since beating the Ravens 20-3 in 2004 and the first on the road since 1994.