CLEVELAND, Ohio — The NFL has denied the Browns’ request to let Kareem Hunt remain at the Browns’ facility during his eight-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, and Baker Mayfield, for one, is not a fan of the decision.
“It hurts him not to be around there because if you can be around your teammates, that can help you keep a positive attitude, and that definitely helps,’’ Mayfield told the Associated Press after a press conference to announce his endorsement deal with Progressive Insurance. “So that’s tough to hear.’’
As of Saturday at 4 p.m., Hunt, suspended for two physical altercations including one involving a woman, must exit the premises and not participate in meetings, practices or other team functions. He can return on Nov. 4, the Monday before the Nov. 10 home game against the Bills.
If the NFL had granted the Browns’ wish, it would’ve been making an exception and going off script from as it relates to the personal conduct policy in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which it couldn’t reasonably do for one player.
Meanwhile, receiver Antonio Callaway, suspended the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, is permitted to remain with the Browns and attend all meetings and team functions other than practice or games, per the policy. It’s good news for the Browns and Callaway, who’s also rehabbing a high ankle sprain.
Players who are suspended for 10 games or less for substance abuse are permitted to be remain with the team during their ban.
The Browns lobbied the NFL hard to led Hunt remain at the Browns’ facility so he’d have the support and structure of the team. He’s been working hard on his program, which includes anger management counseling and other kinds of therapy. He’s made great friends on the team, including Nick Chubb, and he has the full support of GM John Dorsey and coach Freddie Kitchens, who attended his baptism in May.
He’s also been rehabbing a groin injury that landed him on the non-football injury list at the start of camp. Hunt, slowly coming back from the injury, carried the ball five times for 11 yards in Tampa, and two times for six yards against the Colts. It remains to be seen if he’ll play Thursday night against the Lions.
A native of Willoughby, Ohio will now have to work out on his own and get to his counseling sessions by himself. He has a good support system locally, including his pastor, his mom and some other family members, but must also steer clear of some of the influences that have gotten him in trouble in the past.
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, in the wake of police questioning Hunt outside a downtown bar for a minor argument with a friend in June, said during their annual training camp press conference on July 28th that Hunt must uphold his end of the bargain to get back on the field.
“We know that Kareem has work to do and he’s in counseling working really hard and it’s up to him,’’ Dee Haslam said. “It truly is up to him and we have high expectations for our players.’’
The Browns wanted to keep close tabs on Hunt during the ban to prevent further incidents and help him continue to turn himself around.
“I think you have to take the situation very, very, very seriously,’’ Dee Haslam said. “And we spent a lot of time, and John (Dorsey) spent a lot of time with Kareem and felt like he has potential as a person which is obviously as important as a player. So, he needs to continue to work really hard to be part of our organization.’’
At that time, Jimmy Haslam said talks with the league in regards to letting Hunt stick around were “ongoing.’’
Dorsey said at his pre-camp press conference that Hunt “understands there are no guarantees in life, and he’s going about exactly how he is going about his business and working his fanny off on the field, as well as off the field.”
Kitchens added, “It has never been harder to be player in the National Football League. Everything they do is under a microscope. With the advancements of social media and all of that kind of stuff, every little thing – it doesn’t matter how big or how small – is always going to be made into a bigger deal.
"Kareem is always going to have our support, and we are going to support him like we do with every other player we have. We want them to be a better person 50 years from now and still be able to sustain and be successful in life than just worrying about right now.”
Hunt at the start of camp that the incident was a wake call.
“Yeah, most definitely and the thing is, I’m going to learn from everything and not make the same mistake again, so definitely learning,’’ he said.“It was a misunderstanding and I appreciate that the Browns still had my back and I know I can’t have those,'' he said. "So I look to move forward and continue bettering myself and I’m working and getting ready for the season.''
The incident earned him a sit-down with Dorsey, who stuck his neck out to sign him in February, and Kitchens.
“(They said) be smart,’’ Hunt said. “That’s pretty much it.’’
He vowed to focus more on football and less on his social life.
“I’m just gonna lay low and continue working at being a better person and get ready for this season,’’ he said. “I’m just doing whatever it takes to stay out the way and enjoy myself and my family and keep my mind on football.”
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