Throughout his decision to apply and pursue a master's degree, the Browns have offered their full support. Owusu-Koramoah said he had conversations with Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry, Managing and Principal Partner Jimmy Haslam and run game coordinator/linebackers coach Jason Tarver about his recovery process and the next chapter of his career both on and off the field. Both Berry and Haslam each wrote a letter of recommendation for Owusu-Koramoah as part of the application process.
That support has extended beyond the Browns, as Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb also wrote a letter of recommendation for Owusu-Koramoah.
"They've always known me as someone who values learning," Owusu-Koramoah said. "In my conversations with Jimmy Haslam, he emphasized staying mentally active during recovery. That support meant a lot and really created space for me to explore opportunities like this."
Over his five years with the organization since he was first drafted in 2021, Haslam said they have watched Owusu-Koramoah grow both on the field as a player and off the field as an individual.
"I remember when he asked us to write the letter of recommendation being so impressed with the fact that after going through such a traumatic experience with the injury, he was thinking so high-level about his next move," Haslam said. "He was so gracious in the way he asked. He is a great representative for our organization and all our players. I doubt the letter of recommendation helped that much because JOK is an outstanding individual. He earned his entry into Harvard and will be a great addition to their community. I was honored that he asked us to write a letter on his behalf and I'm highly confident that he will accomplish so much off-the-field whenever his playing career concludes."
When Berry first heard Owusu-Koramoah aspired to attend graduate school and apply to Harvard, Berry wanted to do his part to help. Berry graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in computer science in four years. While at Harvard, Berry was a four-year starter as a cornerback and was a three-time All-Ivy League team selection and an All-America honoree.
"I always tell guys when they come into the organization that whether they're here for 10 minutes or 10 years, we want them to be better players and better people when they leave us," Berry said. "And that's how we certainly feel about Jeremiah, given everything that he did in the building, on the field, and then kind of the unfortunate circumstances with how his career has been a little bit on pause. So, when he mentioned that he wanted to go to graduate school and pursue a master's degree, and that he wanted to attend Harvard Kennedy School, that's an easy letter of recommendation to write. He is a lifelong Brown and he's a great ambassador for our organization, and anything that we can do to help him, we will."
Now with the backing of the Browns through Berry and Haslam, and the city of Cleveland – as well as his official acceptance into the program – Owusu-Koramoah is ready to take his next step.
"I believe this represents a shift in how the NFL views the relationship between the front office and its players," Owusu-Koramoah said. "The Cleveland Browns are the forerunners in that shift, showing that a player's value doesn't stop at his performance. To have an organization support both your recovery and your education while you're still part of the team speaks to a deeper level of character and commitment to our development. It challenges the traditional mindset that once you're injured, it's a business, so therefore you're replaceable. Instead, it shows that you're still seen, still valued, and still invested in, not just as a player, but as a man."