Arvell Reese credits growing up in Cleveland for his NFL dreams

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with 2026 first-round NFL Draft selection and former Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. In his interview with Easton Jr., Reese discussed his partnership with Reese's as a go-to snack and comfort food. He also reflected on his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, which influenced his love for football. "Growing up in Ohio had an impact, but growing up in Cleveland, and then specifically the Glenville neighborhood area, played a part, because before I was even old enough to put on pads and play football, I was up at Robert 'Bump' Taylor Field watching my big brother play football," said Reese. "He was about eight years old." I'm three or four years old, running on the field while they're playing. So that played a part in my loving football. I loved it before I even put the pads on there. By the time I was five, I had pads on; by the time I was six or seven, I was already contributing to the team. So that played a part of me playing football my area that I was in." Reese is part of an amazing legacy of NFL players who grew up in Cleveland, including Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The former Buckeyes linebacker was a standout at Glenville High School in Cleveland, like former two-time Chiefs Super Bowl champion Frank Clark. Reese didn't have a specific moment from the NFL to draw inspiration from, but he did mention a player he grew up watching. "I can't think of that specifically. It always would be my childhood friends and me, be like seven years old watching mixtapes and playing out players we wanted to be like," said Reese, "I always wanted to run the ball like Chris Johnson." Reese joins the New York Giants as their No. 5 overall pick in Thursday's first round, wearing a specially made Reese's-inspired suit.