BEREA: Browns backup quarterback Brady Quinn introduced Republican presidential hopeful John McCain at a packed rally Wednesday in Strongsville, calling him ''a real hero.''

Left tackle Joe Thomas, like Quinn decked out in a suit, also stood on the podium with McCain and running mate Sarah Palin.

On Saturday, Browns linebacker Willie McGinest joined Cavaliers star LeBron James at a voter registration event in Cleveland. McGinest, 36, told the crowd he had been a hypocrite for complaining about the country's problems when he never had voted. He said Democratic candidate Barack Obama was the impetus he needed.

''I don't think anybody else motivated me or gave me the inspiration to want to get up and go vote,'' McGinest said, according to a Plain Dealer report.

With his players stepping to the forefront before the Nov. 4 election, Browns coach Romeo Crennel called his team together after practice Wednesday. He told them not to let their political views interfere with their focus and preparation.

Crennel said ''a little bird had told him'' that about three hours later Quinn and Thomas would take the stage with McCain.

McCain said he admired Quinn during his playing days at Notre Dame. Quinn's father, Ty, who also attended the rally, is a Vietnam veteran, like McCain. (Quinn was not made available for comment Thursday.)

''My main concern is that they don't get on the soap box here in the locker room and get it going back and forth about a particular candidate against another particular candidate,'' Crennel said. ''That's why the ballot is a secret ballot when you go vote. I told them, 'Your politics is your politics, but don't let it interfere with this team, with your preparation for the next opponent.' ''

The Browns make their first appearance on Monday Night Football in five years next week, hosting the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Crennel said his address wasn't prompted by tension in the locker room.

''I just know politics. If you are stating your case for this guy, the other guy is stating his case for that guy, then there is room for potential confrontation,'' he said. ''I let the team know whatever their feelings are about their politics, they have a right to them, but the team is first. So they have to prioritize.''

Kicker Phil Dawson, the longest-tenured Brown, said this has been ''the calmest'' of the three presidential elections held since he came to Cleveland in 1999.

''I can remember open, loud, lively debates over the last couple. This year it seems relatively quiet,'' Dawson said. ''You'll hear guys talk at lunch a little bit, but there haven't been arguments. Maybe we all know each other better and where everyone stands. I'd like to think we've got a group of guys who get along well enough where even if we disagree on stuff like that, it doesn't divide us.''

Defensive lineman Shaun Smith said Quinn's appearance didn't bother him.

''That's just one vote and we know who he's voting for,'' Smith said. ''Brady is going to do what he has to do. I don't know why he did it.''

Told that Obama was visiting Ohio on Thursday, Smith said he needed help from senior vice president Lew Merletti, a former Secret Service agent, to get there.

''Is he coming? I may make the trip real quick. I got to call Lew and get my Secret Service crew to get me out there,'' joked Smith, who has been held out of practice following hand surgery.

Center Hank Fraley went to a 2004 election rally for George W. Bush outside Philadelphia when he played for the Eagles.

''It was really neat,'' Fraley said. ''You got to go backstage and hang out. You don't even talk politics or issues. Most of those [candidates] are all about sports, too. They're talking, 'What's going on with your team?'

''It's fun to meet somebody like that. I would like to meet McCain or Obama. One of those two are going to be president; it's nice to shake the president's hand.''

Fraley said political debates in the offensive linemen's meeting room are much less spirited with Lennie Friedman on injured reserve.

''Lennie was definitely on the other side,'' Fraley said. ''Lennie was probably more involved than any of us. We put our two cents in and said whatever we could to get him riled up. Even if it wasn't true, you said it just to see him react. I texted him this morning driving in. I said, 'You've got me listening to CNN news every day on the radio instead of music.' ''

Fraley said the hottest topic of late has been the stock market.

Dawson wasn't sure if the Browns have a red or blue locker room.

''I don't know,'' he said. ''You should take a poll.''