LeBron James in Last: Sports Figures Who Beat the King back to Ohio

Jul 26, 2014; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns strong safety Donte Whitner (31) practices during training camp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Donte Whitner

The former Buckeye and member of two NFC Champion 49ers teams signed a contract this offseason to play four years with the Browns.  Aggressively pursued by a number of teams this offseason, the hard-hitting safety chose Cleveland for a reason beyond the $28 million his contract offer was worth.

“I want to come back to Cleveland and help turn the team and the city around,” Whitner told reporters during his introductory press conference.  “Everyone dreams about playing for their hometown team and now I have that chance.”

The story of Whitner’s Cleveland upbringing goes beyond the football field.  Growing up in the Glenville community of East Cleveland with a father in and out of prison, an overworked mother, and a house full of eight brothers and cousins, Donte’s physical gifts and fearlessness on the gridiron were his tickets to something better.  Ted Ginn Sr. became a father figure and coach, recruiting the misguided athlete away from an unfulfilling Benedictine High School experience over to his powerhouse Glenville High School program, where he would meet future OSU teammates Ted Ginn Jr. and Troy Smith.  After a stellar career both on the field and in the classroom, “Hitner” graduated high school early to enroll at Ohio State and begin the path towards a first round pick and two Pro Bowl appearances.

Similar to LeBron, Whitner is equally interested in reviving his community and serving as a role model for Cleveland’s youth.  He recently donated $50,000 to the Ted Ginn Academy, delivering a 30 min commencement address to the graduating class of student-athletes from similar walks of life as his own.  Whitner described his own unique story and how one man’s belief in his ability made his dream real.  No. 31 for the Browns wants to be that kind of inspiration in the lives of others.

“The city of Cleveland is not doing too well right now. There are a lot of inner-city things that are going on, and I feel like I can be an influence on some of these kids, a lot of these kids, actually.”

Sound similar to anything you’ve read in Sports Illustrated recently?

Who will return to Cleveland next? Ted Ginn Jr., A.J. Hawk, Stephon Curry, Brian Hartline?  Apparently, everybody’s doing it.

Who are some of your favorite athletes to return to the shores of Erie? Who would you like to see “come home?”