He played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes and was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent after the 2005 NFL draft.
[2] During Cribbs' time at Dunbar, the Crimson Tide won three consecutive DCIAA football titles.
In the 2000 Turkey Bowl (DCIAA Championship game played the morning of Thanksgiving), he led Dunbar to a 35–12 victory over the Ballou Knights.
Two second-half touchdowns thrown by Cribbs were key to the Crimson Tide's victory over Ballou—one of which was caught by then Dunbar sophomore tight end Vernon Davis.
He is one of only two true freshman in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history to both rush and pass for 1,000 yards (the other being Armanti Edwards of Appalachian State).
He is also one of only eight players in NCAA history to both rush and pass for 1,000 yards in at least of two different seasons, the others being Beau Morgan of Air Force, Vince Young of Texas, Pat White of West Virginia, Edwards of Appalachian State, Jordan Lynch of Northern Illinois Huskies football, Denard Robinson of Michigan and Brad Smith of Missouri.
[6] Cribbs is also the only player in NCAA history to lead his team in both rushing and passing in four different seasons, although his 2003 single-season school record of 3,125 combined yards was eclipsed in 2008 by quarterback Julian Edelman.
[8] Cribbs was not chosen in the 2005 NFL draft; however, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns on April 29, 2005.
On November 26, 2008, after placing Brady Quinn on injured reserve, the Browns named Cribbs their emergency quarterback.
On December 29, Cribbs was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl for the second time in his career as the Browns' and AFC's representative as the kick returner.
On January 7, 2010, Cribbs cleaned out his locker at the Browns' training complex and announced his intention to walk out on the final three years of his contract, telling reporters, "... it absolutely felt like the last time I'd be setting foot inside the building.
The 2011 season also marked the year of the NFL's rule change on kickoffs, shifting the position from the kicking team's own 30-yard line to the 35.
[15] Cribbs suffered a shoulder injury in a Week 13 game against the Miami Dolphins and was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2013.
[20] Cribbs is also part-owner of a children's indoor inflatable play arena called Bounce City.
He shares the ownership of the facility, which is located in Strongsville, Ohio, with Darnell Dinkins, a former Browns tight end.
[citation needed] Cribbs indicated via Twitter that he will give his 2010 Pro Bowl paycheck to relief efforts for the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
[citation needed] Cribbs played himself in an episode of Hot in Cleveland, "The Gateway Friend," which originally aired May 2, 2012.
He appeared in the bar/restaurant that Melanie, Joy, and Victoria frequent, placing second in a karaoke contest to guest star Kristin Chenoweth.