The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN
Swagger, beloved mascot of the Cleveland Browns, remembered by fans
The statisticians got it wrong.
So did the fan base and the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns didn’t post a record of 6-10 this past season.
In truth, the team netted 11 losses, a major one recently taking place off the field with the passing of Swagger, the beloved 145-pound, 6-yearold bullmastiff who since 2014 served as the squad’s first-ever live mascot.
Swagger died suddenly
Feb. 7 due to complications from pneumonia after battling and beating cancer, his owners Debby and Fred McLaughlin confirmed.
In appreciation and remembrance of Swagger’s swagger, spirit and celebrity with the franchise, the McLaughlins held a celebration-of-life ceremony for the departed pooch at DeJohn Funeral Homes Feb. 22 in Willoughby Hills for fans and family.
While DeJohn Pet Services has hosted countless observances for animal companions, Pet Care
“Hosting a memorial service for the community is an opportunity for his family and fans to say goodbye, and for our community to gather and remember Swagger." — Pet Care Specialist Sherri DiPietro
Specialist Sherri DiPietro solemnly acknowledged that Swagger is the most high-profile pet to be honored at the center. “Hosting a memorial service for the community is an opportunity for his family and fans to say goodbye, and for our community to gather and remember Swagger,” DiPietro said. “Pets are a very special part of the family and should be treated as such. We care for a family’s pet with the utmost dignity, respect and compassion by people who are pet parents.”
Born on July 20, 2013, Swagger hailed from FD Farms, a certified member of the American Kennel Club, in Rootstown, Ohio. The McLaughlins, who own the property, noted Swagger’s path to fame started when he was a puppy. “We show and breed dogs, but when the Browns reached out to us I initially thought it was a joke, so I deleted the email,” Debby recalls.
Good thing the team’s reps were persistent.
“Of course, they reached out again and after confirming everything, Fred and I met with them with six of our other dogs,” Debby added. “Swagger was only 10 months, but they loved his antics, particularly when he would have his one tooth sticking out over his lip. He used to do it in shows, and the fans loved it, but it would make me crazy because his lips have to cover his teeth in contests. He knew what he was doing, so, on the other hand, it would also make me laugh. He had such a great personality.”
That personality resulted in the pup’s christening, which, Debby admitted, wasn’t immediately sold on her husband.
“Fred wasn’t a fan at first,” she said, laughing. “I had his name picked out early — it kind of just popped into my head. After the Browns agreed on the name, Fred learned to love it, too.”
In addition to regular appearances on Dawg Pound Drive and events in the community, Swagger ran through the tunnel at every home game. His final appearance at FirstEnergy Stadium was Oct. 13 when the Browns hosted the Seattle Seahawks.
Swagger’s son, Swagger Junior, took over the role in Week 10 of the season which resulted in a Browns victory over the Buffalo Bills. The McLaughlin’s son, Justin, was Swagger’s handler on the field, running alongside him out of the tunnel.
Debby said Justin continues to do so with “SJ.”
“He’s taking Swagger’s legacy into 2020 and beyond,” she added. “He used to follow in his dad’s footsteps everywhere, so this just made sense. He was only eight weeks when we took him to the Browns. He’s now 14 months and has been on the field for four games so far. He’s doing pretty well, too. He just has to get a bit more comfortable with the noise and the subwoofers.” (No pun intended.)
A trio of urns containing Swagger’s ashes will be shared with Justin, Debby and Fred, and the Browns organization.
Expressing their condolences and love, fans filled the room throughout the day to share memories with the McLaughlins and to bid farewell to an extended member of the Browns family.
“This is for all the fans who want to say goodbye, as thousands of people used to take pictures with Swagger,” Debby said. “He touched a lot of people. He made a lot of people smile. We really did share him with everybody and we know they really enjoyed that.”
Ross DeJohn Jr., CEO and funeral director, proudly identifies as one of those fans, as he and his have been season ticket holders since 1960.
“While we are very sad to have Swagger leave us, we know he brought much joy to families and children that visited the stadium,” DeJohn said. “Being a lifelong Cleveland fan, we feel fortunate to host this opportunity to join in his celebration of life.”