Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku is in the midst of his best NFL season, with 69 receptions for 704 yards with five touchdown catches entering Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers—all career highs for the 27-year-old.
He’s excelled despite the burns he suffered in a frightening incident involving a fire pit at his home on Sept. 29. Just days after suffering the injury, he played in the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, and he has remained a crucial offensive weapon for the Browns’ various 2023 quarterbacks in the months since.
Scott Galvin/USA TODAY Sports
Njoku has been remarkably candid about the incident, having shared photos of his burns on social media. This week, he even poked some fun at himself in a comment on a Browns holiday graphic.
The cartoon shows various Browns stars in a living room, with Njoku holding a gift-wrapped football next to a Christmas tree. He also happens to be the Browns player standing closest to a lit fireplace in the drawing.
“Y’all did NOT have to put me by the fire thoooo,” Njoku joked in the comments, with a slew of skull and upside-down smile emojis.
David Njoku's comment on the Browns IG post 😅 pic.twitter.com/TvVpPYXPjo
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 23, 2023
Browns fans and others on social media appreciated Njoku’s bit of self-deprecating humor.
Bro Njoku’s comment 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/2Bbz4smukA
— Jordan Cicchelli 🤍 (@jordancicchelli) December 22, 2023
That's an objectively funny Instagram comment from Njoku pic.twitter.com/RpvOXk7BMC
— Bottlegate (@Bottlegate) December 22, 2023
Just when I thought David Njoku couldn’t get more likable 🤣🔥🎄#DawgPound @David_Njoku80 pic.twitter.com/G5fS1WoNyF
— The Dawgs - A Cleveland Browns Podcast (@thedawgspodcast) December 23, 2023
I can appreciate when someone can laugh at their own mistakes. David Njoku’s comment is next level though. 😂 pic.twitter.com/20GqnACKaJ
— Josh Edwards (@EdwardsCBS) December 23, 2023
Njoku has used his accident to serve as inspiration to others who have suffered similar injuries, so it isn’t a huge surprise to see him crack a joke like this.
“I’ve been getting a lot of messages from other burn victims and nurses that have burn victims, and they were telling me how everybody feels embarrassed to show whatever,” Njoku told reporters in October, after posting photos of his burns. “So I wanted just to come out forth and show myself so everyone feels a little bit better about themselves. End of the day, things heal.”
