Museum Begins Collaboration with Myles Garrett
CLEVELAND—August 25, 2022—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is pleased to announce that Myles Garrett, accomplished defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, will serve as the Museum’s first-ever Community Science Ambassador. This collaboration will establish Myles as a leader in promoting the importance of science and STEM careers, especially for those underrepresented in the field, while supporting the Museum’s mission to foster science literacy.
Passionate about education, Myles feels strongly that science is for everyone. As Community Science Ambassador, he is particularly dedicated to encouraging the community’s youngest members to pursue their interest in science and reinforcing the relevance of science to everyday life. His commitment to lifelong learning and removing barriers to access aligns with the Museum’s strategic priorities.
“We have been so fortunate to get to know Myles, and we look forward to partnering with him in expanding access to science, especially in underserved communities,” said Sonia Winner, the Museum’s President & CEO. “This collaboration couldn’t begin at a better time, as the Museum undergoes a major transformation and redoubles its efforts to increase accessibility and engagement—key objectives outlined in our strategic plan.”
As part of his ambassadorship, Myles will participate in opportunities that help to raise awareness of the Museum—including its collections, events, and educational programming—throughout Northeast Ohio, especially in the City of Cleveland. Known for his love of dinosaurs, Myles has frequented the Museum, visiting with its scientists and building a connection with its paleontology collection. His role will enable him to share his passion for science, in general, and paleontology, in particular, with new audiences.
Myles is no stranger to inspiring Cleveland’s youth. This summer, in collaboration with the Museum, United Way, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, Myles invited local children to a special screening of Jurassic World: Dominion, where he and several Cleveland Browns teammates treated guests to a complimentary movie, snacks, and giveaways. Most recently, as United Way Ambassador, he hosted the Myles Garrett Back-to-School Kickoff to help prepare 200 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio for the start of the new school year.
“I credit my family with teaching me the value of giving back to the community,” said Myles. “Cleveland is my community, and I want to do my best to be a positive role model for our kids. I’m excited to continue working with the Museum team to share their important mission. Together, we can spark curiosity, improve science education, and expand access in new and fun ways.”
Myles has been a defensive end for the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns since his selection by the team in the first round (first overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. During his NFL career, Myles was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2018, 2020, and 2021. He earned first-team All-Pro accolades in 2020 and 2021 and second-team honors in 2018. He was named to the 2017 PFWA All-Rookie and 2020 PFWA All-NFL teams and received the Browns’ 2017 Maurice Bassett Award for the team’s most outstanding rookie during training camp. In 2020, he was named the October AFC Defensive Player of the Month and the Week 4 AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Myles’s role as Community Science Ambassador reflects his commitment to excellence and service, which extends to his activities off the field. In 2020 he was named the Browns’ Walter Payton Man of the Year, an award that honors players for their dedication to their community and athletic performance. Myles is also the captain of the NFL Waterboys, a charity program designed to help provide clean water to communities in the United States and abroad.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Transformation Project
In June 2021, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History broke ground on its $150 million transformation project, which includes an expansion, a complete reimagining of its campus and all its exhibits, and the addition of new public spaces. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, this dynamic reinvention will place visitors at the center of the Museum experience—allowing them to better understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. The project will expand the Museum’s building and outdoor visitor areas to more than 375,000 square feet. Various areas of the Museum remain open during construction, and phased openings of the new and reimagined spaces will begin in fall 2022.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature.
Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards nearly 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
Media Contacts
Kate McCreary
Director of Marketing & Communications
818.599.3687
kmccreary@cmnh.org
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager
216.403.4557
sguenther@cmnh.org
Shakeemah Simmons-Winter
Senior Manager of Communications
Klutch Sports Group
201.259.0551
ssimmons-winter@klutchgroup.com
