It may look unusual, but Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio are right at home in their recurring segments on Inside the Cleveland Browns.
For Bitonio, who has worked alongside Cleveland's top chefs for segments that channel his inner Guy Fieri, it all goes back to growing up in San Pedro, California, with parents who loved to cook and watch Food Network when they weren't cooking.
"I was always trying to learn how to make that stuff," Bitonio said. "I just love watching Food Network. Just being a big guy that loves food, a fatty at heart and on paper."
So far, Bitonio, a big fan of shows like "Chopped" and "Cutthroat Kitchen," has worked with Cleveland celebrity chefs Michael Symon and Rocco Whalen and also learned the fine art of making pizza at Dewey's Pizza in Lakewood. On this Sunday's show, which can be seen at 11 a.m. on WEWS NewsChannel 5, Bitonio cools off with a little dessert at Mitchell's Ice Cream.
Both Bitonio's and Thomas' segments can also be seen on ClevelandBrowns.com and on the Browns' YouTube channel.
"It's been a good opportunity to get around the community and see how things are going," Bitonio said.
Thomas, meanwhile, has relished in the role reversal of sorts he's experienced on "The Joe Thomas Hour: The best two minutes of your life."
Instead of fielding tough questions, Thomas is the one delivering them to unsuspecting teammates. Linebacker Christian Kirksey and rookie defensive lineman Xavier Cooper have already gone through the gauntlet and Craig Robertson is next on the list Sunday.
"As an NFL player, three or four days a week, you're standing in front of 10-20 cameras sticking them in your face asking tough questions. you've got to be able to be quick on your feet to be able to answer those questions in a clear and concise manner," Thomas said. "Just being in the NFL helps you be better behind the camera."
Bitonio's thoughts?
"He hasn't asked me to be on the show yet," he said, "so it's not at its peak."
