Baker Mayfield on fine for criticising officiating: 'Freedom of speech I thought'

Kirstie Chiappelli

Baker Mayfield on fine for criticising officiating: 'Freedom of speech I thought' image

Odell Beckham Jr. wasn't the only Cleveland player fined in Week 7.

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield received a $12,500 sanction stemming from Sunday's loss to the Seahawks for ripping the referees after the game.

“Well, one, I wouldn’t say it’s complaining when it’s blatantly obvious," Mayfield said Wednesday, per cleveland.com “I’d say that’s just stating facts. Freedom of speech I thought, but that’s OK, I get fined for it. It’s the league, that’s what they do. They fine you for some ridiculous things. That’s just how it is. There’s a reason that everybody is talking about it. It’s not just me.

“It goes for every team. We’re not going to get a lot of calls, and we know that, especially going into this week. There’s no time to worry about it. No time to stress about it. Just play our game.”

Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said he understands the frustration his players feel and doesn't mind the remarks as long as they don’t hurt the team.

"As long as those guys are not hurting the team, it doesn’t matter,'' Kitchens said. "My concern is the team, and I don’t want them hurting their team with comments -- and neither one of them has.

“As far as comments about officials and stuff like that, I’m going to stay away from that because I can’t control the officials. I’m not in their meetings. I’m not in their pregame deals and all that kind of stuff. I just want to control our team from the standpoint of putting them in the best position to win.”

Expect Mayfield to appeal his fine.

Kirstie Chiappelli