Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel had a memorable NFL debut in London, but no one felt more pressure than his fiancée, Zo Caswell. While Gabriel was impressed in his first start, Caswell shared her emotional, behind-the-scenes reaction from home, revealing how nerve-racking the game was for her.
How Did Zo Caswell React to the Stress of Dillon Gabriel’s First Start?
While the 24-year-old rookie first started against the Minnesota Vikings, Zo Caswell was back in Cleveland watching the game with high anxiety. She wasn’t shy about sharing her emotions with her followers. The Browns’ final drive ended with Gabriel’s Hail Mary pass falling incomplete, and Caswell captured her stressful reaction on Instagram. “Me the whole game: The stress is too much,” she wrote alongside a photo of her sitting on the floor, completely locked into the action.
In the picture, Caswell, dressed in a brown hoodie and matching pants, is glued to the TV. She has been one of Gabriel’s most vocal supporters throughout his journey from college football stardom to the NFL. Even though she didn’t make the trip to London, reportedly because she dislikes flying, she watched intently as her fiancé took the field for his most significant moment yet.
Gabriel, drafted in the third round out of Oregon, delivered a poised performance after replacing veteran Joe Flacco as the starter. He completed 19 of 33 passing attempts for 190 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He nearly led the Browns to a road victory before a late touchdown sealed a 21-17 loss. Despite the heartbreak, Gabriel’s performance showed maturity and offered promising signs that Cleveland’s coaching staff might have found its quarterback of the future.
What Is the Story of Gabriel and Zo Caswell?
Gabriel and Caswell’s story began in Hawaii, where they met in middle school during summer orientation and started dating in high school. Their long-term relationship blossomed through college, leading to their engagement in 2024, shortly before Gabriel was drafted into the NFL.
Caswell has consistently celebrated her partner’s achievements on social media. When the Browns selected Gabriel, she shared an excited post, writing, “Cleveland!! We’re ready!!!! 🤎🧡 @clevelandbrowns.” She also posted photos from the emotional draft-night celebration, showing the couple celebrating with family and friends.
Gabriel’s impressive debut likely means more starts are on the horizon, and for Caswell, that means more stressful Sundays. The Browns face the Pittsburgh Steelers next, and with Gabriel expected to remain the starter, all eyes will be on how he follows up his promising first game.
