In an unexpected twist, Cleveland Browns have chosen former Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Hall, and former Michigan guard Zak Zinter in the second and third rounds respectively.
Zak Zinter, Michael Hall "brothers" with Browns after being heated rivals in college. https://t.co/0sDMGUFzSP
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 29, 2024
These players, once opponents in a few heated battles for the Big Ten, had their paths crossed under unfortunate circumstances during a game last November.
In the last year’s Michigan victory, which marked the third straight win over Ohio State, Hall was pushed into Zinter’s leg resulting in a horrific injury for Zinter who suffered a broken tibia and fibula.
This put an unfortunate pause on Zinter’s career, ending his season prematurely. Despite the brutal injury, there was no ill will harbored between the two collegiate days rivals.
The nature of the incident was seen as purely accidental, thus eliminating any potential for hard feelings to arise.
“Being my rival throughout my career and finally being teammates here, it’s crazy,” Zinter said, via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com. “I’m going to be seeing him day in and day out. But we’re brothers now and it’s all about that.”
Cleveland Browns’ General Manager, Andrew Berry, expressed his expectations for Zinter, demonstrating confidence in his capacity to return to the field this off-season, despite the severity of his injury.
This development indicates the possibility of Hall and Zinter once again facing off, albeit this time in a practice setting in the coming months.
However, the environment will be starkly different from the days of their rivalry in the Big Ten. They will don the same uniform, contributing to the same cause — bringing glory to the Cleveland Browns.
