Suspended Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt met with the media Wednesday, apologizing for the incident where he kicked a woman, and said he will make the most of his second chance. He is currently serving an eight-game suspension for the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The 23-year-old was seen on a videotape shoving and kicking a woman at his Cleveland residence in 2018, while a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. The team cut him in December, shortly after the video became public.
While Hunt has said he made “a mistake,†and is sorry for the assault, he also said he has not apologized to the victim, but said he would be willing to meet with her to do so.
Mea Culpa Tour Continues
In February, Hunt professed his regret for the incident, saying at the time to ESPN that he was sorry.
“I regret the entire thing, everything,†Hunt said. “I’m going to take time to better myself, learn from this, get some help if needed, talk to people and really just take this really serious.â€
He reiterated that sentiment after the Browns’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Wednesday, and said he won’t take this opportunity lightly.
“I’m am definitely not going to mess this up again,†Hunt said. “I am going to take it day-by-day. I have to earn people’s trust and my actions are going to show.”
Hunt said he has been going to high schools in the Cleveland area to talk to teenagers, something he wished had happened when he was younger.
“I didn’t really have anyone to come talk to me when I was in high school,” Hunt said. “I have been telling them, ‘You guys have to make smart decisions. I have made mistakes; everyone makes mistakes. You have to learn from your mistakes and not make the same mistakes. Think before you act. When your emotions get high, don’t act off your emotions.'”
Hot Commodity
There was little doubt Hunt would latch on to another team after he was cut by the Chiefs in December. The running back had only been in the league for two seasons, after being selected in the third round by Kansas City from Toledo. In two seasons, he played in 27 games, rushing for 2,151 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 10 receiving TDs.
The man who drafted him Kansas reached said he took a chance on him with the Browns. General manager John Dorsey made the decision to sign Hunt to a one-year deal based on Hunt meeting several conditions.
“We believe he deserves a second chance but certainly with the understanding that he has to go through critical and essential steps to become a performing member of this organization,†Dorsey said in February.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield said the team has accepted Hunt and look forward to him being on the team.
“Mistakes happen. I can speak from personal experience,” said Mayfield, who was arrested in 2017 and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and fleeing while playing for Oklahoma. “Everybody that has been around him knows who he is, so I think he is being given a second chance and will take advantage of it.”
