Browns' Joel Bitonio Lists Hilarious Reason for Returning for Year 12

Cleveland Browns veteran offensive lineman Joel Bitonio contemplated retirement this offseason, but decided to return to the team that drafted him in the second round all the way back in the 2014 NFL Draft.

The AFC North team recently hosted their annual Cleveland Browns Foundation Golf Tournament at Westwood Country Club, and the franchise legend jokingly listed the team's golf simulator as a reason for him staying for a 12th year.

"Early in the offseason I was in (the team facility) and I was kind of working out and playing golf and Kevin would walk by and (general manager Andrew Berry), and I was like, at this point if I told them I wasn’t playing, it might get a little weird, you know what I mean?" Bitonio said. "I’ve been using the golf simulator every day."

You can play golf until you're old and out of shape, but Bitonio does not believe he is there yet, as he has said he thinks he can still play football at a very high level. He has also revealed that talking to new offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren was a big reason for him returning.

Bitonio has been in the league for 11 seasons so far, and he has been named a Pro Bowler each of the last seven years. He has also been named to one of the All-Pro teams five times, with two of those being First Team.

The Browns had the fourth-least rushing yards in the NFL this past season, so they are glad to have their best offensive lineman back.