CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Baker Mayfield is used to criticism.
He’s gotten it most of his football life from fans, media, coaches – and this year, a teammate and the father of said teammate.
That doesn’t mean he likes it.
But this week that criticism crossed a line on social media when his wife, Emily, posted about her and her husband receiving death threats from “fans” on various platforms following the Browns’ 24-22 loss to the Packers on Christmas Day.
“It’s hard for me to say not to listen to it because I have quite a bit of experience of just hearing a lot of opinions on the outside coming in, so it’s hard when it comes down to someone that you love, who you care about,” Mayfield said. “She’s unable to change some of the outcomes to the games – or any at all – so it’s just one of those things where we’re in a world today, a society where there’s a lot of keyboard warriors that make empty threats and things like that.
“It’s quite honestly, ignorant when they go after people that aren’t directly involved in football. And then when you talk about taking your own life, killing somebody, that to me is just ignorance.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged Thursday that he was aware of the threats and offered the organization’s full support to Mayfield.
“People can and do say some crazy things out there,” Stefanski said. “If it rises to the level of that, certainly, we can help address those type of things. Short of that, just in general and not specific to that, in general there is a lot of noise out there.”
Mayfield indicated that Browns security and authorities have not gotten involved and he’s doing his best to tune it out.
“It’s not that serious,” Mayfield said.
The threats made to the Mayfields are just the latest in what has been a growing laundry list of challenges the 2018 No. 1 pick has had to deal with this season.
Mayfield suffered a torn left labrum in Week 2, a dislocated left shoulder in Week 6, Odell Beckham Jr. and his father orchestrating the receiver’s exit from the Browns, knee and foot injuries, being forced to sit out two weeks due to COVID and then flying into Green Bay Christmas morning to play the Packers where he threw four interceptions in the loss.
“Any season’s going to have it’s ups and downs. This one’s had a little bit more drama,” Mayfield said. “But it comes down to handling your business, trying to find ways to win any possible way and doing that week in and week out.
“Right now we’re in this situation where it’s very apparent we have to win this game and that’s our job right now and we’re focused on that.”
Mayfield admitted that it’s been more difficult than usual to tune out the noise this year compared to years past.
“I would say yes, but only because some of that drama earlier in the year was within the building, and it was not just directly outside,” Mayfield said. “We had to handle a few things internally, and that is OK. We did that, and now we are here so that is what matters.”
Mayfield has thrown just 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season while completing 62.4% of his passes for 2,825 yards but he can shut all the critics up by leading the Browns to a win over the Steelers Monday night and in the regular season finale January 9 against the Bengals at home.
Regardless of how some fans might feel about Mayfield’s play, left guard Joel Bitonio praised the quarterback this week for navigating the many obstacles.
“As a teammate of his, you can never question how tough he is, his want to or his ability to play when maybe he should not be playing injury-wise or other situations,” Bitonio said. “It is one of the things that I respect him, but his confidence this week, I do not think, has changed. They are telling us there is a chance to win this division so we are going to go out there and give it our best shot.”
With some help Sunday from the Rams against the Ravens and Chiefs over the Bengals, Mayfield and company would travel to Pittsburgh in control of their own destiny to win the AFC North for the first time ever, and the franchise’s first divisional title since 1989.
“Anytime we are still in contention to make the playoffs, it is a great opportunity for us so that is the way I am going to handle it,” Mayfield said.
