Kareem Hunt is on a second-chance deal with the Cleveland Browns, who showed faith in the running back after he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs following disturbing video of him kicking and shoving a woman in a hotel was made public.
He was back in the news for off-the-field reasons July 1 when TMZ released a video of the running back speaking with police following an incident at a Cleveland bar. But a Cleveland police spokeswoman told Heavy there is not a police report related to the incident. “I have no additional information on this at this time,” Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said via email.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that the Browns are aware of the incident and have talked to Hunt, but have no further comment.
WKYC also investigated the rumors that were going wild on the internet, speaking with Bobby George, who owns Barley House — the bar where the alleged incident happened.
George confirmed he saw Hunt but that the running back was in “good spirits” and being “very respectful.”
“I believe it was a small argument with one of his friends,” he told the news station. “People blew it out of proportion.”
The Browns have not released a statement regarding the issue.
GettyCleveland Browns Kareem Hunt with his previous team, the Kansas City Cheifs
Kareem Hunt Looking to Earn ‘Trust’ From Browns
On the field, Hunt’s numbers are gaudy. In his first two seasons, the Toledo product racked up 2,151 rushing yards, 833 receiving yards. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and was on pace to again before being let go by the Chiefs.
However, before he takes his place alongside Nick Chubb in the Browns backfield, Hunt has to serve an eight games suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Hunt was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list last fall following news that he was involved in an altercation with a woman at a Cleveland hotel. It was later announced that he would be banned for half of the season.
Hunt was also accused of punching a man at a Put-in-Bay resort. He’s has reportedly gone through anger management and alcohol counseling.
During his first session with the media in Cleveland, Hunt stressed that he was looking to earn the team’s trust.
“I told (Dorsey) ‘You can trust me,’’’ he said. “I’ve got to earn his trust, and I’ve got to earn everybody’s trust in the whole organization. I’m not willing to mess that up.”
Dorsey drafted Hunt while with the Chiefs and his background with the running back helped him feel more comfortable adding him to the roster.
“We’ve done our extensive research,’’ Dorsey said. “He’s extremely remorseful for that. I’ve always believed that if a person wants to better themselves and be a better person, I’m willing to give them a chance. I truly believe he’ll be a better man today than he was yesterday.”
Dorsey did add that the team will have a zero-tolerance policy with Hunt, who is on a one-year deal with no guaranteed money. If he does slip up, there’s no consequences for the Browns if they want to go another direction.
So far, however, he seems to have made a good impression on his new teammates.
“Good kid. Mistakes happen,” Baker Mayfield told reporters at OTAs. “Everybody that has been around him knows who he is. I think he was given a second chance and he is taking advantage of it.”
GettyFormer Kansas City teammates Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt.
Mayfield reportedly talked with Chiefs players Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes after the team signed Hunt to get some input.
Kelce had plenty of good things to say to Mayfield about his former teammate, and showed further support while talking to the media before playing in a celebrity softball game in the Cleveland area.
“You guys are getting an unbelievable athlete,” Kelce told reporters. ” Somebody that can change the game with one or two carries, one or two touches and really give you a chance to win.”
Kelce expanded his stance on Hunt and what his experience with the running back has been.
“The biggest thing was as much as you try to stay away from the actually situation that happened, Kareem has been nothing but a good friend and a good teammate,’’ said Kelce. “He’s been in the community trying to make a difference in other people’s lives. That’s what’s real. Everyone has things that go wrong in their lives. It’s how you come out of those situations that determine your true character. I think I’ll just leave it as that. What we said is true. Kareem, I hope he makes the best of his situation.”
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No Police Report Filed Involving Kareem Hunt at Cleveland Bar