CLEVELAND Ohio – Back in March 2017, Justin McCray was a former NFL offensive lineman. And “NFL offensive lineman” was used more in the technical sense of the term.

Signed by the Titans as an undrafted free agent out of UCF in 2014, McCray was waived during final cuts, then re-signed to the practice squad. The next season, the Titans waived him before the final preseason game.

And that was it.

Seven preseason games, 168 offensive snaps.

But McCray, who was traded to the Browns on Saturday, was more than a former NFL offensive lineman. He was also a current member of the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm (his previous team – the Orlando Predators – had folded and the Storm made him a second-round pick in the dispersal draft).

“I just love playing (football),” McCray said. “The pay wasn’t great, but I still wanted to do it.”

To deal with the pay thing, McCray worked as a bellman at Westgate Resorts in Florida. The owner of the Predators also owned the resort, so McCray, his brother Jordan (who was his teammate in Orlando), and a few other players had offseason jobs there.

McCray was content. But his brother had other ideas.

He suggested the two former Knights ask to attend UCF’s pro day for another shot at the NFL. Jordan had also been through the NFL’s practice squad cycle. He had been on the Packers’ and Vikings’ practice squads, and also waived by the Panthers during final cuts in 2015.

“I still knew I could play, so I still wanted to get another chance,” Justin said. “I just didn’t know how well the pro day thing would work, because I’ve seen a lot of guys doing pro days and not really getting any looks from it.”

So, alongside current UCF players, the McCrays did drills and ran the 40. Justin caught the attention of Alonzo Highsmith, senior personnel executive for the Packers. That led to a work out for the Packers. That led to a contract.

McCray made the initial 53-man roster, then – due to an injury to starter Bryan Bulaga - found himself starting at right tackle in Week 2. McCray started eight games that season, including Week 16, which was played on New Year’s Eve.

McCray couldn’t help but reflect on his situation.

“New Year’s Eve 2016 I went to work as a bellman for Westgate Resorts,” he posted on Twitter. “This New Year’s Eve I went to work as a starter for the @packers. My God is amazing. Just want to thank everyone who’s shown any kind of support over the years. It helped keep me going.”

New Year’s Eve 2016 I went to work as a bellman for Westgate Resorts. This New Year’s Eve I went to work as a starter for the @packers . My God is amazing. Just want to thank everyone who’s shown any kind of support over the years. It helped keep me going — Justin McCray (@64jdm) December 31, 2017

McCray started five more games in 2018. He got game experience at every offensive line position except center, and he worked on that in practices. But that wasn’t enough to keep him in Green Bay. As last weekend’s cutdown deadline neared, McCray was told he would be released. When his phone rang with a Green Bay area code, it was John Dorsey, telling him the Browns were trading for him.

“I have been in that situation before of being cut,” McCray said. “The last time I was cut, I was out of football for two and a half years – out of outdoor football for two and half years. You do not know. It is just a bunch of unknowns. You don’t know what is going on. As soon as I got that call that I would be playing football and it is another opportunity, I was ecstatic about it.”

McCray and offensive lineman Wyatt Teller, both acquired in cutdown day trades, had their first practice with the Browns on Monday. McCray doesn’t know what his role will be, he’s just happy he has one.

“I just know that I can’t take it for granted,” he said. “Honestly, just because I know how hard some guys work and don’t get the opportunity.”

Like Jordan McCray. The pro day didn’t land Jordan a workout like it did for his twin. So Jordan spent 2017 as an offensive lineman with the Cleveland Gladiators. Then 2018 with the Baltimore Brigade.

Then the Bears called. Jordan was in his first NFL training camp since 2015. He played in all four preseason games for the Bears, starting the final three at guard. But the Bears waived him on Saturday, about the same time Justin learned he’d been traded.

“I really can’t say I would be here if (it wasn’t for Jordan),” Justin said. “I wasn’t even thinking about doing the pro day, so I don’t think I would even be in this situation if he wasn’t like, ‘Hey, we should do the pro day.’

“I could hear in his voice he was happy for me. He was super excited. He’s been my biggest supporter since I’ve been doing all this, and hopefully he gets another chance.”