Perception became reality on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas, when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell advanced to the podium to announce that the Cleveland Browns had selected the former Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Only Mayfield was not at AT&T Stadium in Arlington to don the Cleveland Browns cap and engage in the ceremonial handshake with the commissioner. He was some 190 miles away, at home with his family in Austin, Texas, when the news became official.
Although the Browns had kept their decision regarding the No.