“This is the day the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in it.” 

The last time Jameis Winston stepped onto an NFL field as a starting quarterback was Sept. 22, 2022. It was the stereotypical “Famous Jameis” start, 350-plus passing yards but two costly turnovers that allowed the Carolina Panthers to beat Winston’s New Orleans Saints, 22-14. 

So many emotions and feelings were brewing in the cylindrical structure that is Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland Sunday. It almost seemed surreal for a 1-6 team to feel so amped up in a game they were 7.5-point home underdogs. 

Take into account how much the Cleveland Browns organization and its fandom has gone through since week one back in September, which seems like a lifetime ago. Take into account how much the Browns have  gone through generally since returning to the NFL in 1999. 

The Browns started the 2024-2025 season by getting slapped across the mouth by the Dallas  Cowboys in “America’s Game of the Week” – a 33-17 loss. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been mired in his own controversy for almost half a decade, put up an absolute stinker of a game against Dallas, throwing for just 169 yards and two interceptions. 

It wouldn’t get any better for Watson and the Browns. After escaping Jacksonville with a narrow road win, the Cleveland Browns would lose five consecutive ball games. 

Multiple fingers were pointed – at ownership, at Watson, at head coach and offensive play caller Kevin Stefanski; nobody could really figure out what the problem was with the offense before it was too late. Watson tore his achilles Oct. 20 in a 21-14 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Three days prior to the Browns QB suffering a season-ending injury, Mayor Justin Bibb of Cleveland announced the city had not been able to settle a stadium agreement with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, and the Browns would not enter the 2030s playing in the city limits of Cleveland. 

In the days leading up to Sunday’s contest against the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens, the Browns would undergo a schematic change, and the fandom would mourn the loss of a beloved man. 

Four days before the game against Baltimore, Stefanski announced that he would be handing over play calling duties to offensive coordinator, and former Browns quarterback, Ken Dorsey. 

Then, less than 24 hours before Sunday, the family of renowned journalist and longtime Browns radio play-by-play announcer Jim Donovan had announced that he had died. The city of Cleveland had lost its voice, and more importantly, its friend hours before a crucial game. 

So, who is the light in the midst of all of this darkness for Cleveland? Who possibly could right the ship and lead the Browns to their first victory after six weeks of disorder and mental anguish?

Enter Jameis Lanaed Winston, 2013 Heisman Trophy winner and first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Winston has had lots of material written and said about him – he’s a bust, he’s turnover prone, he’s done in this league. 

Winston’s critics run far and wide, and you can’t really blame them. Although Winston’s highlight tape is quite impressive, and he has over 22,000 passing yards and 145 passing touchdowns in his career, you would be remiss not to mention his issue with throwing interceptions. 

Winston, who started for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from day one after being drafted, threw 88 interceptions in 70 starts until his departure from the team in 2020. Infamously, he threw 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 2019, in one of the least talked about 5,000 passing yard seasons ever. 

Even with all the concerns about Winston’s dangerous style of play, one thing is evident; Jameis Winston is a leader of men. 

The clips are abundant, whether Winston was a Buccaneer, a Saint or now with the Browns, there are several examples of Winston in the pre-game huddle with his team amping them up for a “dub”.

Many might have been doubting seeing Winston of all quarterbacks being named the starter to lead the Browns to victory, but he was exactly the right guy. His attitude, his resilience and, most importantly, his in-game decision making helped lead the Browns to a nail biting 29-24 victory. 

Winston threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns against a vaunted Ravens defense. It was the first time a Browns quarterback threw for 300 yards and no interceptions since Baker Mayfield was Cleveland’s starter. 

Stress and anxiety filled the packed stands, and an unexpected hero saved the day for the Browns. The smell of sorrow and doubt filled the streets of Cleveland, and a castaway named Jameis Winston swept it all away. 

“Unwavering faith. Ultimate belief. Dependent on the Lord.”  

Gage Wellman is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected] or @GageWellmanKSTV on X.