NFL Suspended Browns RB Kareem Hunt Eight Games

NFL is suspending Browns’ RB Kareem Hunt for eight games for violating its personal conduct policy, according to Adam Schefter.

• Field Yates reports that Hunt will forfeit $303,529 of his $645,000 base salary with his eight-game suspension, with a chance to earn $200,000 in per-game roster bonuses upon return.
• According to Ian Rapoport, the Browns expected Hunt to be suspended between 8 to 10 games. 
• Hunt’s agent, Dan Saffron, issued a statement saying they will not appeal the eight-game suspension.

Hunt released the following statement:

“I want to again apologize for my actions last year. I know that my behavior hurt a lot of people, and I again apologize to them. I respect the league’s decision on discipline, and I appreciate the time I spent with Commissioner Goodell last week. I’m grateful for my time with the Browns over the last month and thankful to all the people in the organization that have welcomed me. I also appreciate all of the support I received from my union through this process. My commitment to earning the trust of the league, my teammates, the organization and this community through my actions will continue, and I understand there is a lot of hard work ahead of me before I’m able to fully return to playing the game I love.”

Here’s the full release from the NFL:

“KAREEM HUNT of the Cleveland Browns was notified today that he has been suspended without pay for the Browns’ first eight regular season games for violations of the NFL Personal Conduct Policy in connection with physical altercations at his residence in Cleveland last February and at a resort in Ohio last June. 

“Hunt was placed on the Commissioner Exempt list on November 30 and was released by his former club, the Kansas City Chiefs, that same day.  The findings followed a detailed investigation by the NFL, which included reviewing available law enforcement records, video and electronic communications, interviews with numerous witnesses, and multiple interviews with Hunt. 

“Hunt has advised the league office that he accepts responsibility for his conduct and the discipline that has been imposed.  He has committed to take advantage of available resources to help him grow personally and as a member of the Cleveland community, and to live up to his obligations as an NFL player.

“The eight-game suspension will take effect as of the final roster reduction on August 31.  Hunt will be eligible to play in the Browns’ ninth regular season game.”

Hunt was added to the commissioner’s exempt list and a suspension while the NFL continued their investigation into three separate off-the-field incidents involving Hunt last year. 

Hunt has reportedly received alcohol and anger management counseling since he was released by the Chiefs and has met with the NFL regarding his off-the-field incidents.

Hunt, 23, is a former third-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2017. He was in the second year of his four-year, $3.263-million contract and set to make base salaries of $555,000 and $645,000 over the next two years of the agreement when the Chiefs waived him in December.

The Browns elected to sign Hunt to a one-year contract last month worth over $1 million, not factoring in a suspension.

In 2018, Hunt has appeared in 11 games for the Chiefs and rushed for 824 yards on 181 carries (4.6 YPC) to go along with 26 receptions for 378 yards receiving and 14 total touchdowns.