Charley Hughlett

Charley Hughlett's Biography

Born on May 16, 1990, Robert Charles Hughlett is a distinguished American professional football long snapper currently playing for the Cleveland Browns in the esteemed National Football League (NFL). The journey to his illustrious professional career began in his youth when he participated in American football as a high school student, sparking a lifelong passion for the game that would eventually propel him to the professional stage.

Hughlett had his high school education at Hillsborough High School, located in Tampa, Florida. While there, he displayed immense footballing talent, especially playing as a tight end and center, earning him letters for all four years. His consistent and exceptional performance saw him graduate in 2008 as an accomplished football player.

During his junior year in high school, his outstanding performances did not go unrecognized. He was bestowed with the honorable second-team All-conference award. Being an ever-driven athlete, this accolade was a stepping stone to his senior year’s achievement, where his improved and stellar performances got him the first-team All-conference honors.

Moreover, Hughlett played a crucial role in the accomplishments of his high school team, the Terriers. With him on the squad, the Terriers clinched the regional champions’ title in 2004, followed by district titles in both 2005 and 2006. However, Hughlett’s high school talents weren’t confined to football alone; he also earned varsity letters in track and wrestling. Besides his athletic abilities, his academia was also recognized when he was chosen for the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award.

Hughlett’s success continued in college after accepting a football scholarship from the University of Central Florida in 2008. The prestigious university was not the only institution interested in him; he had attracted attention from the Citadel, South Florida, Holy Cross, and Brown. However, it was at the University of Central Florida that he demonstrated his knack for long snapping, a position he maintained throughout his four years of college football.

In his freshman year, he appeared in 12 games and was honored with the Conference USA All-Freshman Team award, thanks to his commendable performance as a long snapper. However, his college career wasn’t only significant in his freshman year; he consistently proved his worth in all his years, playing in every game for the Knights throughout his sophomore, junior, and senior years. His dedication and performance won him All-Conference USA second-team honors during his junior and senior years.

After college, Hughlett’s professional career took off when the Dallas Cowboys signed him as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2012, following the NFL draft. However, his journey in the professional realm was not without challenges. He was waived off by the Cowboys clip on August 27, 2012, only to be re-signed in January 2013, and later released on May 29, 2013.

Still determined to play, he signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots on March 19, 2014, but was later released. By June 19, 2014, he had signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but again faced the disappointment of being let go later that August.

Following his brief stints with the Patriots and Jaguars, he was signed to the Patriots’ practice squad on September 1, 2014. He was released two days later only to be signed to the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad at the end of September, and then cut a week after. He was re-signed to the Patriots’ practice squad on November 26, 2014, but was released just two days later. However, things began to look up for Hughlett when he was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad on December 16, 2014.

His big break came on December 24, 2014, when the Cleveland Browns signed him to their active roster off the Chiefs’ practice squad to compete with Christian Yount. The following year, in 2015, he superseded Yount on the depth chart and played in all 16 games, handling the long-snapping duties. His proficiency in the position was affirmed when he signed a six-year contract extension with the Browns on February 16, 2017. This contract made him the highest-paid long snapper in the league at the time.

Hughlett’s time with Browns was marked with remarkable achievements. On October 3, 2021, he played in his 100th consecutive game with the Browns, joining Joe Thomas and Phil Dawson as only the third player to accomplish this feat since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999. Hughlett’s career with the Browns received a significant affirmation on October 28, 2022, when he signed a four-year contract extension with the them, showing the team’s trust in his talent and contribution.

In conclusion, the journey of Robert Charles Hughlett in the world of American football is a story of resilience, determination, and skill, making him one of the notable figures in the sport. His story serves as an inspiration for many young athletes, showing that with hard work, grit, and perseverance, one can turn their passion into an extraordinary professional career.