BEREA, Ohio The fun stops when Isaiah Bond, the new Browns receiver, approaches the podium.
Just a few minutes prior on Tuesday, quarterback Joe Flacco was standing in the same location, grinning while answering questions about his age and expressing optimism for the Browns’ new offense. At forty, Flacco is old enough to be referred to as Mr. Joe Flacco by youngster Gage Larvadain. Flacco disagrees.
… I would probably respond, “Hey, let’s cut it out on the Mr.,” if I had heard him say that.
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A funny joke and a player you like. You ought to read up on him. One day, I might have written a piece on myself.
However, Bond was reciting a statement about his recent criminal conviction on Tuesday. Less than a week after a grand jury in Collin County, Texas, decided not to indict him on a sexual assault complaint, the Browns signed him on Monday. On the advice of his lawyer and agency, he refused to respond to inquiries about it. By now, Browns fans are familiar with this situation.
It must be growing old.
#BrownsWR Isaiah Bond declares his innocence and makes a commitment to be a good athlete and community member: —>FzdrAbm https://t.co/4qb
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Since Bond has been exonerated by the courts and is probably not going to face an NFL suspension, I’m holding off on making a decision.
The same is true for Quinshon Judkins, a rookie running back who is still awaiting an NFL inquiry despite having his domestic assault case dropped on Thursday. Additionally, linebacker Devin Bush is innocent until and unless proven guilty in his domestic abuse trial, which starts in Pittsburgh on December 2.
However, every example contributes to a concerning trend in Cleveland, if not the Browns’ talent pool.
Cleveland has recruited eight players who have been accused of violence or wrongdoing against women over their careers since acquiring general manager Andrew Berry in 2020. Following their acquisition, Judkins, Bush, Mike Hall Jr., and Perrion Winfrey were charged. Prior to signing Bond, Deshaun Watson, Kareem Hunt, and Jameis Winston, the Browns were aware of their charges.
These players were not found guilty. Additionally, the Browns have stated that they support giving people second chances. noble mission.
Fans are not required to like it, though.
To put it bluntly, how does it feel to support a team that is in the middle of the league in awkward conversations in your living room? Did you find it entertaining to watch the broadcasters skirt Watson’s off-field problems during the previous three seasons? Did you like having to justify yourself as a football fan after educating newcomers about the history?
All I do is cheer for the squad. I don’t support him.
It’s challenging to keep each party apart. When every Bond catch, Judkins carry, or Bush tackle is accompanied with an unpleasant legal explanation, Sundays are difficult to enjoy.
More importantly, these actions detract from the enjoyment of playing football. It is expected of fans to cheer for spectacular plays and lament poor decisions. The 40-year-old quarterback should be the subject of stories from reporters. The Browns are making an effort to disassociate themselves from the heavy legal shadow that has hung over their team for the past three seasons.
Rather, his message is being recited by another recent signee. He refuses to or is unable to reveal the specifics of his situation. Your Mr. Flacco Fever has abruptly gone away.
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