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Michigan State Football: Malik McDowell makes Browns’ 53-man roster

By Connor Muldowney

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 22: Defensive tackle Malik McDowell #58 of the Cleveland Browns watches from the sidelines during the second half against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Giants 17-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 22: Defensive tackle Malik McDowell #58 of the Cleveland Browns watches from the sidelines during the second half against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Giants 17-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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File Malik McDowell under the list of names you thought you’d never hear again when talking about the NFL after he suffered a major injury in an ATV accident shortly after being drafted in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks back in 2017.

The former Michigan State football star was hoping to make that roster but never caught on with the Seahawks and never played a down with Seattle.

Since 2017, we never really heard much about McDowell. He was sentenced to prison in November of 2019 and after he got out, he worked out for the Dolphins. He never made the team, but it was a good sign that he wanted to get back to playing football.

It wouldn’t be easy after four three-plus years away from the game.

But the Browns signed him in May and he had one final shot to make a roster, making a comeback with Cleveland. He performed well in preseason ball and wowed both fans and the media as they all predicted that he would be on the Browns’ final 53-man roster when it was released.

Well, Cleveland released the final roster on Tuesday, and McDowell made the cut.

This has to be one of the best stories in all of football.

Malik McDowell turned it all around

What an incredible story this is after it looked like his career was over. It looked like he was fighting some demons mentally and had off-field issues, but has since turned his life around, got back into football, kept that strength, and dominated all preseason with the Browns.

McDowell seemed as if he wasn’t going to figure it out after leaving Michigan State and getting into that ATV accident, but he worked on himself after being sentenced to prison, apparently.

The former Spartan added some weight, moved to the interior of the defensive line, and looked like a star all preseason long. He went from a “maybe he’ll make the practice squad” player to a “there’s no way he won’t make the roster” player.

It’s going to be fun rooting for Malik again (not that we ever truly stopped), even if he is on the Browns.

Next. How do MSU's 2021 position groups compare to 2020?. dark

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