Newsome was the 23rd pick in the 1978 NFL Draft for the Cleveland Browns. He was named the Browns' Offensive Player of the Year his rookie year, the first time in 25 years that a rookie had received that honor. Newsome went to the Pro Bowl in 1981, 1984 and 1985. In 1984, Newsome set a franchise record for receiving yards in a game (191) that stood for 29 years until it was broken in 2013 by Josh Gordon. In 1986, Newsome won the Ed Block Courage Award for playing with injuries, and in 1990 won the Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award for his community service. Newsome did not miss a game in his 13-year NFL career, playing in 198 consecutive games as a Brown with 191 starts. He finished his career with 662 receptions and 7,980 yards, both Cleveland franchise records, and 47 touchdowns, fourth all-time. In 1999 Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

This Alabama Crimson Tide jersey was signed in black by Newsome and inscribed, "Roll Tide." This jersey includes a JSA sticker and COA.