Browns’ Hunt: ‘I’m not going to mess this up’
BEREA, Ohio — Kareem Hunt says he made “a mistake.” And now he’s out to benefit from a second probability afforded to him by the Cleveland Browns.
“I do know I’m not going to mess this up once more,” Hunt stated Wednesday after the crew’s first OTA of the season.
The operating again signed with the Browns in February after being lower by the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs when a video surfaced of Hunt shoving and kicking a feminine at a Cleveland resort in 2018. Due to that evening, Hunt will miss the primary eight video games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage.
Regardless of that incident occurring in Cleveland, Hunt, 23, looks like there was no higher spot for him to play than in his hometown.
“It undoubtedly turned out to be good touchdown in a scenario just like the Browns and being near dwelling,” Hunt stated. “I’ve a variety of supporters and my household behind me and an excellent group just like the Browns.”
Hunt stated a number of occasions Wednesday that he “made a mistake” and that he is aware of he must “make higher choices.” He additionally stated the video was arduous to observe and he does not have an anger downside, however that he’s attending anger administration counseling to higher cope with what occurred on that 2018 night.
“I’m not an offended particular person,” Hunt stated. “I felt like I wanted to make higher choices.”
Hunt, who led the NFL in dashing with 1,327 yards in 2017, described himself as a constructive one that tries to carry a smile to everyone’s face. Nick Chubb has already seen that facet of his new teammate.
“He is cool, he is an excellent man,” Chubb stated. “I’m having fun with having him as a teammate. He retains you laughing and he retains you up.”
Since returning to Cleveland this winter, Hunt has been reaching out to native highschool college students to speak to them about making the precise choices of their lives and to study from any errors they make alongside the best way.
“I did not actually have anybody to return discuss to me after I was in highschool,” Hunt stated. “I’ve been telling them, ‘You guys must make sensible choices.’ I’ve made errors; everybody makes errors. It’s a must to study out of your errors and never make the identical errors. Suppose earlier than you act. When your feelings get excessive, do not act off your feelings.”
The choice to speak to highschool children was one made by Hunt, not by the group or the league.
“That is the place it wants to return from, it wants to return from his coronary heart and his phrases,” first-year head coach Freddie Kitchens stated. “I’ve been impressed with the best way he has gone about issues.”
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield stated the crew has welcomed Hunt. Mayfield, who was arrested in 2017 and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and fleeing, whereas taking part in on the College of Oklahoma, is aware of what it’s prefer to cope with backlash. Mayfield stated he talked to Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce — Hunt’s former teammates with the Chiefs — and that the 2 of them vouched for the operating again.
“Errors occur, I can communicate from private expertise,” Mayfield stated. “All people that has been round him is aware of who he’s, so I believe he’s being given a second probability and can make the most of it.”
Kitchens additionally believes the third-year professional from close by Willoughby South Excessive Faculty will make the most of the chance afforded by the Browns.
“All people in life is tousled and never everyone in life will get a second probability,” Kitchens stated. “I believe he’s benefiting from it. I actually do. We assist him in all the things he does.”
On the finish of the day, Hunt is aware of that phrases are simply phrases and folks will not be capable to totally belief him till he exhibits together with his actions that he’s actually sorry.
“I’m going to take it day-by-day,” Hunt stated. “I’ve to earn individuals’s belief and my actions are going to point out.”