Jesus was exalted on Sunday evening at Berea Municipal Pool near Cleveland during an event dubbed “Cleveland for Christ.”
Led by Browns chaplain Nobles Darby along with cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Daniel Thomas, the first-ever “Cleveland for Christ” was held by the Metro Cleveland FCA. It featured worship music, testimonies of faith, prayer and baptisms.
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At least two Browns players were baptized in the pool: RB Raheim Sanders and LB Carson Schwesinger, last season’s AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
How great is this?
Cleveland linebacker Carson Schwesinger got baptized at a CLEVELAND FOR CHRIST event in Berea, OH.🎥 Lucas Cochran media pic.twitter.com/jSBYa6HeGT
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) June 8, 2026
Numerous Browns players and staff members were in attendance, including quarterback Shedeur Sanders, defensive tackle Mason Graham and safety Chris Edmonds. The event was open to the public as well.
“Cleveland for Christ” is similar to other Christ-centered events that have popped up on college campuses throughout the country, perhaps most notably at Ohio State University just a couple hours’ drive southwest.
“We’re looking forward to serving with you guys,” Thomas said in a promotional video for the event last week. “We want the whole community to come out — the athletes to come out, everybody to come out — and just see what Jesus is gonna do this Sunday.”
Campbell agreed, adding “It’s gonna be powerful. The Word says, ‘When two or three are gathered in My name, I am among them.’ So, God’s gonna be present, and I’m excited to see what He has in store.”
In another video promoting the event, Darby revealed a message he often shares with Browns players.
“I always challenge them and encourage them to leverage their platform to point other people to Jesus Christ,” he said, “and this (event) is gonna be an opportunity to do that.
“This event is really rooted in Acts 2:38, where Peter says, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and then you’ll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
At this time last season, neither Campbell nor Thomas were members of the Cleveland Browns; Campbell was traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars part of the way through last season, while Thomas signed a free-agent contract with the Browns in March.
However, Campbell and Thomas were teammates in Jacksonville for four seasons (2021-24), and during the offseason before the 2024-25 campaign, Thomas appeared on the Sports Spectrum Podcast, where he was asked about football and faith in Christ.
He explained that he wants others to come to know Jesus. Along with Darby and Campbell at “Cleveland for Christ,” he created an environment where the glory of God was on full display.
“Having a true relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Thomas said on the podcast. “He’s been there for me in times of need, times where I was in my highs and especially times in my lows.
“… When I have Him, I have everything that I need.”
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
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