The Cleveland Browns enjoyed a big night, Thursday, at NFL Honors. That includes Steven Stefanski, the head coach’s real-life cousin who briefly enjoyed coach of the year.
So what happened? Actor Justin Hartley presented the AP NFL coach of the year, which was one of the major awards of the evening. But when Hartley announced the winner, the actor mixed up Kevin Stefanski with someone named Steven Stefanski. Turns out, Kevin really does have a cousin by that name. But he’s nowhere near the Browns sideline on game day.
Neither Stefanski was in the audience. But both quickly heard about their infamy on NFL Honors.
“I did watch [the NFL Honors presentation],” Kevin Stefanski told 92.3 The Fan. “And you know who had a great night last night was my cousin Steve Stefanski. His phone was blowing up. In fact, when [Hartley] said that, my son grabbed my phone and we called my cousin Steve. And he answers the phone and says ‘I did it.’ He told me hard work pays off, so congratulations to my cousin Steve.”
It’s nice that Stekanski has a good sense of humor. Hartley, a long-time Chicago Bears fan, appeared at NFL Honors to promote Tracker, his new show. The series premieres Sunday night on CBS right after the Super Bowl. So Hartley might not be familiar with the AFC North.
Browns head coach won tie breaker over DeMeco Ryans
Stefanski edged DeMeco Ryans, the rookie head coach of the Houston Texans, for the honor. It was the thinnest of margins. Both coaches tied with 165 points. But the Browns head coach won the tie breaker. He picked up 21 first place votes to Ryans’ 20.
The Texans knocked out the Browns in the first round of the NFL playoffs last month. But Stefanski still did an amazing job for the season. Because of injuries, Cleveland went through five starting quarterbacks. Joe Flacco ended the season as QB1. The 39-year-old hadn’t been with a team for all of 2023 until the Browns signed him to the practice squad Nov. 20.
The Browns won other significant awards. Flacco edged Damar Hamlin for Comeback Player of the Year. Myles Garrett earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. And Jim Schwartz brought home the NFL assistant coach of the year trophy.
“I wasn’t there in person, but I am obviously very, very, very grateful,” Kevin Stefanski said. “Myles winning the award is unbelievable, coach Schwartz, Joe winning those things. And for me that thing is such a, really a testament to 1,000 people. You don’t win that award without great players.”
More must-reads: