THE APEX TIMES
Andrew Berry’s phone call from Tim Murphy ended with a Harvard Hall of Fame surprise
The Cleveland Browns executive earned induction into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame as part of the school’s 2026 class, honored Oct. 23.
Cleveland Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry will be inducted into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame, joining the school’s 2026 class. Harvard’s honor class includes 12 members who will be recognized alongside more than 600 past student-athletes already enshrined through the Varsity Club Hall of Fame program.
Berry’s induction was set in motion through a personal phone call. In spring 2026, Berry received a call from his former college coach, Tim Murphy, who surprised him by telling him Berry was being inducted as a member of the class of 2026. The Browns executive and the rest of the inductees will be honored at the Hall of Fame ceremony on Oct. 23.
The recognition highlights Berry’s uncommon path at Harvard. While Berry was recruited by Murphy to play quarterback, he switched to cornerback early in his first season after an injury opened up a need in the secondary. According to Berry’s account, he weighed the change with his parents and chose to make the switch when he believed he could play as a freshman.
Harvard’s defensive staff and secondary coaching emphasized fundamentals as Berry learned the position. The team initially simplified his role, leaning on man coverage as he adjusted to coverages and the nuances of cornerback before expanding his responsibilities as he performed.
Berry became a four-year starter in the defensive backfield and earned multiple honors, including three All-Ivy League selections and All-America recognition. His college statistical total at Harvard included 125 career tackles and five interceptions.
The Varsity Club Hall of Fame nod also ties back to Berry’s broader time at Harvard beyond football. He graduated cum laude in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in computer science, and he was recognized as a finalist for major national scholar-athlete awards during his playing career.
Why It Matters
- It underscores the long-running connection between NFL front office leadership and Ivy League football development, with Berry’s Harvard transition to cornerback serving as a key foundation.
- The honor reflects how Berry’s athletic impact at Harvard extended across multiple seasons and positions, not just a single role or year.
- For Browns fans, the induction adds another public chapter to Berry’s football biography, pairing his NFL executive role with his collegiate legacy.
- For Harvard football, the class of 2026 brings attention back to the pathways and coaching decisions that shaped former players who later moved into professional football leadership.
Key Facts
- Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns’ Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager, was named to the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame class of 2026.
- Berry’s selection is part of a 12-member inductee group that will join more than 600 previous Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame athletes.
- Harvard’s 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 23.
- Berry said he was surprised by a spring 2026 phone call from former Harvard coach Tim Murphy informing him of the honor.
- At Harvard, Berry was recruited as a quarterback but transitioned to cornerback early after an injury in the secondary.
- Berry finished his Harvard playing career with 125 tackles and five interceptions, along with All-Ivy League and All-America honors.