EASTLAKE — David Njoku arrived in Cleveland as a 20-year-old first-round draft pick seven years ago.

Now Njoku is a Pro Bowl tight end and a bona fide favorite — a status highlighted during Saturday's David Njoku Celebrity Softball Game at Classic Park. In the past, popular Browns players Joe Haden, Jarvis Landry and Greg Newsome II have had their names attached to the event.

Njoku, 27, said he has evolved “from a kid to a man” during his Browns tenure.

“I appreciate the city of Cleveland tremendously,” Njoku said during a news conference before the softball game. “Becoming a man here, there's a lot that entails.

“It's so much deeper than just that statement. You get me? So, yeah, I'm blessed. I'm truly blessed to be here.”

The 29th overall pick in 2017, Njoku has endured a roller-coaster ride of a journey with the Browns. The team went 0-16 when Njoku was a rookie, and he requested a trade in 2020.

“Things wasn't always great with Njoku,” Arizona Cardinals linebacker and former Browns player Mack Wilson Sr. said before participating in the softball event. “I just saw the will and desire for him to just stay grounded and just keep working day in and day out. To see where he's at now, it's crazy. I knew he was one of the best tight ends in the league at the time, and now he's getting that recognition.”

Some key relationships between Njoku and the Browns were indeed repaired, including with coach Kevin Stefanski. Njoku signed a contract extension in 2022 and earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season with 81 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns as Cleveland made the playoffs for the second time in four years.

Legendary Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar has known Njoku for many years because they're both University of Miami products. Kosar considers Njoku one of the top tight ends in the NFL along with Kansas City Chiefs star and Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce, who won the home run derby Saturday and participated in Njoku's softball game.

“What David's done with his confidence and self-esteem in the community, hats off to him that he's able to do this,” Kosar said. “Where he's come on the field with that even more so. A lot of people when he got drafted maybe were down on him, but he was 20 years old.

“A lot of people kind of were on his case back four or five years ago. … But a lot of people were supportive of him and he was supportive of himself, and it was big when he had that confidence and belief. I love what Travis Kelce's doing, but David Njoku's up there as one of the elite tight ends in the game.”

Njoku said he's aiming in 2024 to “just be better than last year” as an encore to his Pro Bowl season.

Like Kosar, new Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is a former Miami Hurricanes and Cleveland quarterback who has had a bond with Njoku for years. Njoku explained he's excited about the elements Dorsey has added to Cleveland's playbook.

“It is juicy,” Njoku said. “I am not going to say anything else. Leave it at that. But I'm really excited for this year.”

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has softball scare

Playing first base, Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson collided with Cleveland tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden while catching a pop-up during the first inning of the softball game. Mitchell-Paden played second base.

There were audible gasps from the crowd when Watson fell, but he appeared to be fine and remained in the game. He also looked unscathed as he exited the stadium after the event.

The team captained by Browns defensive end Myles Garrett won the softball game. Garrett carried an MVP trophy out of Classic Park.

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In 2022, the Browns traded Wilson to the New England Patriots for defensive end Chase Winovich. Wilson said it felt great to return to Northeast Ohio, where he had positive experiences as a member of the 2020 Browns.

“I was one of those guys who was in the locker room that was a part of the time we did go to the playoffs and beat Pittsburgh Round 1 and should have beat K.C.," Wilson said. "So I was a part of those special moments, and that's something that I'll always remember. Just being a part of that culture change is tremendous to me.”

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns' David Njoku headlines softball game as Cleveland fan favorite