Fans who arrive early at Lincoln Financial Field for Saturday’s NFL preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles might note a barefoot, shirtless man walking the field carrying a staff, or as Cleveland cornerback Tony Brown calls it, a bamboo scepter. And it seems to have had a profound effect on the former Alabama defensive back.

“I carry this with pride and with honor as it connects me to something greater than myself,” Brown said during an appearance on NFL Network. “I continue to walk with this to empower others, and I want people to rise right with me. That’s what this term Ap3x is for — at the top. So, like, I definitely will continue to empower others with my word and, you know, help people shine light by being my authentic self by carrying the staff.”

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