When LS Rex Sunahara stepped onto the grass at Huntington Bank Field for the first time during the 2024 preseason, he looked up at the stands surrounding him.
He noted different sections that he sat in for different games throughout his childhood when he attended Browns games as a fan. Now, he has the opportunity to be a member of the Browns, the team he grew up cheering for on Sundays.
After officially placing LS Charley Hughlett on injured reserve on Oct. 9 with a rib injury, meaning he will miss at least four games, the Browns signed Sunahara to the active roster. When Sunahara received the call, he was thrilled to be headed back to the Browns.
"It's the call you've been waiting for," Sunahara said. "Just excited to get an opportunity to play and get an opportunity to show what I can do."
Sunahara spent time with the Browns during the preseason and is officially in his first NFL season out of West Virginia. Originally signed by Miami as an undrafted free agent in 2020, he has spent time on the practice squads in Miami, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
Sunahara has been through the ups and downs of being a part of three NFL teams, being cut and getting called upon once again. He understands the business side of the league and continues to find ways to stay prepared for whenever an opportunity arises.
Even in his time with the Browns, from being signed in early August, playing in the preseason games, to being cut and brought back to the practice squad, he's turned to the veterans in the specials teams room to help him navigate.
"Charley has been there for me, with any question I've ever had," Sunahara said. "And he's been helping me a lot this week, just helped me get ready. And it's been great."
Hughlett has been an integral part of the Browns special teams unit since 2015. He's one of seven NFL players to play in every game since 2015, playing 152 straight games. He has also served as a captain this season.
"He's a great leader for our group," assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone said. "He does a nice job with — I would say that our communication overall for that unit, both on punts and on field goals. He is our captain. He leads the team, the players meeting on Fridays post practice. He does a good job with those young players and bringing those guys along. So, he's been a great player for our team and this organization."
Yet even the special teams unit has to adapt to injuries. Ventrone said having Sunahara around during training camp and preseason is beneficial because he's familiar with the system. He has experience with their operation with both field goals and punts, working with P Corey Bojorquez and K Dustin Hopkins and knows his role as long snapper.
As the Browns prepare to travel to Philadelphia and face the Eagles in Week 6, Sunahara said he's had a number of conversations with Ventrone to be ready for this first game at long snapper.
"We're preparing Rex to be able to handle this game," Ventrone said.
Sunahara is prepared to step into that role. As he's navigated his career, he's held on to the mentality of always being prepared for whenever an opportunity arises.
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Philadelphia Eagles at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Defensive end Marcus Haynes (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Safety Trey Dean (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Offensive tackle Sebastian Gutierrez (60) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Running back Nyheim Hines (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Defensive end Elerson Smith (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 9, 2024.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 10, 2024.
Originally from Bay Village, Ohio, where he attended Bay High School, Sunahara has stayed local. After he was released by the Browns at the end of August, he still worked out each day to stay in game shape. He would start his day by working out at the Westlake Recreation Center. Then, about two or three times a week, he and Hunter Niswander, a former punter for the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL, would head to Saint Ignatius High School to practice punts and snapping the ball.
His continued preparation and dedication to stay ready paid off. He earned another shot to play for the Browns while Hughlett is on injured reserve, and another chance to showcase his skillset in the NFL.
"It's a dream everyone has to play for their hometown team," Sunahara said. "And my mom's excited, my grandma's excited, girlfriend's excited, everyone's excited, all my buddies. I'm just here to help this team win and do my best."
