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Gary Baxter
Cleveland Browns Cornerback
Second Line of Defense Foundation
Gary Baxter attended Baylor University breaking records and was three time All-Big 12 choice (1998 – 2000) and was All American third team selection by Football News and consensus All-Big 12 first team choice as a senior. In addition, he was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football. Gary received the Bobby Jones Award for senior leadership in his final year at Baylor. He returned to Baylor to graduate with a degree in speech communication in the spring or 2003.
Gary was originally drafted by Baltimore in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft. He signed with Cleveland as an unrestricted free agent on March 4, 2005. Gary is a versatile six-year veteran who can play both corner and safety. In 2006 Gary tore both patellar tendons and underwent surgery at Cleveland Clinic. Those surgeries were followed by a two-month stay at Cleveland Clinic and a long road to recovery. Gary has worked hard and vowed to be ready to play in 2007.
Gary has been active in the community throughout his NFL career. Arriving in Cleveland for the Browns 2005 season, Baxter soon became no stranger to the community. He spent time promoting literacy, creating awareness for local hunger relief efforts and recognizing men and women who serve our community.
Prior to coming to Cleveland Baxter was a four-year member of the Baltimore Ravens and lent his time to several community outreach initiatives. After the Baltimore was struck by Hurricane Isabel, he created the Gary Baxter Second Line of Defense Foundation. Baxter helped with relief efforts hands on. Seeing the devastating effects of a natural disaster like Hurricane Isabel, Gary found it important to do his part when other natural disasters touched other parts of the country and the world. His foundation donated to the tsunami relief and for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
After signing with the Browns, Gary decided to shift the focus of the foundation to make a difference in the Cleveland Community. The Gary Baxter Second Line of Defense is making an impact in the lives of children by promoting healthy initiatives to fight childhood obesity.
During his stay at Cleveland Clinic, Gary established a great relationship with the people at the hospital. He frequently visited the kids in the hospital and decided to team up with the Sports Health Childhood Wellness Program. This interactive program is designed for 6th grade students and families and is focused on the importance of overall wellness. The program utilizes best practices in school-based prevention, by illustrating the positive impact healthy choices can have on their well-being through interactive, dynamic presentations and activities.