Rain or shine, sleet or hail, Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer stood in front of his locker and faced the music.
For his exemplary model in dealing with the media, Cleveland reporters named Hoyer the PFWA Dino Lucarelli 'Good Guy Award' winner.
"I appreciate it," Hoyer said. "I know this is part of the job. As rough as some of the weeks have been, for me to come in here and talk to you guys and put it all on the line, that's what it's all about.
"Thank you guys for giving me the award – it means a lot. [Answering questions] is a big part of the job and it's not always easy."
His contract was questioned. So was his play on the field. But no reporter ever could interrogate Hoyer's work ethic. The quarterback lived in the facility all offseason rehabbing his injured knee and studied game plans for hours on end.
NFL quarterbacks are only required to address to the media on Wednesdays. Hoyer made sure he always was available on Mondays – win or lose.
"As a quarterback it's your job to get the message out win, lose, draw," Hoyer said. "Sometimes it's good. Sometimes it's bad. You can't just come to talk to [reporters] after a win. You have to do it when the times are tough, too.
"The great thing about this game is that people love it. People want to hear from our mouths what we have to say about it. I just try and come up here and be honest and tell it like it is."
Cleveland Browns PFWA Dino Lucarelli
'Good Guy Award' Winners:
2001 QB Tim Couch
2002 DB Corey Fuller
2003 OL Shaun O'Hara
2004 DB Daylon McCutcheon
2005 OL Jeff Faine
2006 DB Brian Russell
2007 K Phil Dawson
2008 DB Brandon McDonald
2009 LB David Bowens
2010 OL Joe Thomas
2011 DB Mike Adams
2012 LB D'Qwell Jackson
2013 OL Joe Thomas
2014 QB Brian Hoyer
