A football and baseball star at Hueytown High School in Alabama, quarterback Jameis Winston won the Heisman Trophy at Florida State before playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints in the NFC South during his NFL career.

On Wednesday, Winston signed with the Cleveland Browns. What caused the QB to leave his geographic comfort zone?

“It all started when I knew I was going to become a free agent,” Winston said, “and I just got so sick and tired of great weather and beaches and music, and I said, ‘What is a place that I know I can give my kids some snow for Christmas?’

“But, honestly, it’s truly a blessing to be a part of the Dawg Pound.”

Winston was having some fun with the hosts of the “Cleveland Browns Daily” podcast when he said that.

But Winston did have another weather observation about Cleveland as he remembered the Saints’ 17-10 road win over the Browns on Dec. 24, 2022, which kicked off with a temperature of 6 degrees and a wind chill of minus-16.

“Let’s just talk about the fan base,” Winston said about his reasons for coming to Cleveland. “When we came here two years ago and played in one of the coldest games in NFL history, there were people in the stands. And, obviously, that’s odd and crazy, when you think about that. Obviously, you got to think about your health. But just think about the commitment. And I know I’m not with New Orleans anymore, but that’s something I really admired about that city of New Orleans was that the fans were always involved. And when you think about the Cleveland Browns, you think about the Dawg Pound. …

“It’s the love for football. Down in the South, we have football. We don’t have hoops. Obviously, the impact that LeBron James has made on this community is amazing, but Ohio even has good basketball. Like Alabama, we don’t have the best basketball, but we have a lot of superstar players that come out. But the love of football is something that I feel like I attract to, and I know that this city really loves football, and that’s why I know I’m really going to love this city.”

Winston joined Cleveland on a one-year, $4 million contract that is fully guaranteed. He’s slated to back up Deshaun Watson.

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Because of a shoulder injury, Watson played in only six games in 2023, when the Browns started five quarterbacks. Also returning is Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who started three games as a rookie.

Despite the QB turmoil and a season-ending injury for No. 1 running back Nick Chubb in the second game of 2023, Cleveland posted an 11-6 regular-season mark to qualify for the playoffs.

“When you see how this team rallied together after significant injuries on both sides of the ball and they were able to do it with four quarterbacks, so one, you know the roster is one of the best rosters in the NFL,” Winston said. “… But also when you have the opportunity to impact and influence a young quarterback who you have admired from afar and have competed against, it really was a no-brainer for me opposed to, obviously, looking for opportunities to start. But knowing the head coach here, Kevin Stefanski, is able to win with his strategies and with his amazing ability to lead the team despite what they may go through, you have to admire that.”

The No. 1 selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Winston spent five seasons as Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback. But after Winston led the NFL with 5,109 passing yards and 30 interceptions in the 2019 season, the Bucs switched to Tom Brady in 2020.

Winston chose to sign with New Orleans to back up Drew Brees. When Brees retired after the 2020 season, Winston won a quarterback competition with Taysom Hill for the 2021 season.

Winston had 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions with New Orleans at 5-2 when a knee injury ended his first season as the Saints’ starter.

The Saints responded by trying to acquire Watson from the Houston Texans in the offseason. Houston traded Watson to Cleveland instead, and New Orleans re-signed Winston to a two-year, $28 million contract.

Injuries sent Winston off the field again after the first three games of 2022. Back and ankle ailments kept Winston out of uniform for a couple of contests. When he returned, he didn’t get his job back. The Saints stuck with Andy Dalton at quarterback all the way to the end of a 7-10 season, and Winston didn’t play after Sept. 25.

Last offseason, New Orleans succeeded in its quarterback pursuit – signing Derek Carr after the Las Vegas Raiders released him. That came with an offer to Winston: Take less money to stay on the team in 2023 or be released.

Winston chose the former. In 2023, he completed 25-of-47 passes for 264 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions while playing 76 snaps in seven games.

“I have played every role that you can play as an NFL quarterback in this league in just nine years in the league,” Winston said, “so me just being able to bring that and to bring a certain energy around (Watson) and be willing to serve him and give him something that he probably hasn’t gotten. …

“I’m just excited to get in the room with him, see how he works. It’s different when you see someone hand-in-hand. You can hear about what people do. Obviously, you can see on TV. But when you get the chance to connect with somebody and be in it with them, you can do amazing things together.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.