Baltimore, MD (92.3 The Fan) – Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield was fined $10,026 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct related to a touchdown celebration with offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens in the second quarter of last week’s 26-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mayfield appeared to make a lewd gesture as he ran towards Kitchens on the sideline following a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darren Fells with 7:12 remaining in the second quarter.
“I honestly could not tell you. I do not know,” Mayfield said on Wednesday when asked about the gesture. “We have a lot of stuff within our locker room and within what we have going on offense. A lot of inside jokes. Who knows what is was.”
The fine amounts are specifically laid out under terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA.
Mayfield was specifically asked about the gesture being perceived as him exposing himself to which he responded, “Oh, well I didn’t so.”
Kitchens didn’t see anything wrong with what Mayfield did either with that celebration or the stare down he had for former head coach and current Bengals special assistant Hue Jackson late in the fourth quarter after competing a 66-yard pass to tight end David Njoku to seal the victory.
“That is something in our room that is an inside deal in our room that is going to stay in our room,” Kitchens said. “It is not a big deal. I do not know. I told you guys, media tries to create controversy, right? I told you a few weeks ago. There you go.”
Mayfield plans to appeal the fine according to Cleveland.com.
Mayfield is just 2 touchdown passes shy of tying the NFL record for TD tosses by a rookie and he has already set the franchise rookie record. He is also 37 yards shy of breaking the franchise rookie record for passing yardage as well.
The Browns wrap up the 2018 season Sunday afternoon in Baltimore against the Ravens.
