Dillon Gabriel is preparing for a major milestone as he steps into the starting quarterback role for the Cleveland Browns in Week 5.
The team will face the Minnesota Vikings in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with kickoff set for 9:30 a.m. ET.
But while the game marks a huge moment in his career, Gabriel will be without the physical support of his parents in the crowd – for reasons that are both practical and personal.
“Fun fact: Need to get my dad a passport. So we’re learning about that,” Gabriel told reporters on Friday. “Second, just a little later in the week, so mom and dad, it’s from Hawai’i, you can imagine that flight’s even further than what we just did.”
Last-minute call-up left little time for travel
The rookie was named starter on Wednesday, taking over from veteran Joe Flacco, a move that caught many by surprise – including Gabriel‘s family.
With his parents based in Hawaii, organizing an international trip to the UK on such short notice proved too difficult.
Even as the spotlight turns toward him, Gabriel says his focus hasn’t been on securing a starting role, but simply on improving his performance.
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“It wasn’t ever about winning a job, it was just playing my best, playing at a high level,” he said. “I think when you continually do that and you’re focused on your game, that will naturally come. The one time you’re thinking about, ‘I’ve got to go win something,’ you overreact or overdo rather than just serve in the moment, and that’s what I’ve been doing this whole time.”
The Browns hold a 1-3 record so far, their only win coming in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers. With Flacco struggling to find rhythm, the team has handed the reins to Gabriel.
As he prepares to lead the offense overseas, Gabriel will have support from afar – with his family cheering him on, even if it’s from across the globe.
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