Jamaica to LA to Cleveland: Browns Karim Barton (Morgan State) continues to defy life’s obstacles

VIDEO: 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It’s hard to figure out what’s more distinctive:
Karim Barton’s thick Jamaican accent or his treacherous path to the NFL.

It’s a Monday in March during the offseason and Barton is one of the only players in the Cleveland Browns’ building. He laces up his orange cleats and trots out to the indoor practice field. He works out on the artificial grass until the sweat floods down his face like the rain water he grew up drinking.

Barton, a 6-foot-3, 313-pound reserve offensive lineman, just completed his first season on the practice squad. An NFL practice squad is where many football careers come to an end. The Browns made more than a dozen cuts on the practice squad last season alone.

Barton won’t allow anything to die. In fact, establishing himself as a professional football player will be a cakewalk compared to what he’s experienced through most of his life.

Barton stares blankly at the pictures – the ones of his mom, dad and three older brothers. As he slowly thumbs through the photos, the 23-year-old’s face winces with pain. His throat hardens.

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