KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 24: Running back Kareem Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs runs to the sidelines just before kickoff in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium. ( Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images )
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt has been suspended eight games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it first on Twitter.
Schefter added that Hunt’s agent, Dan Saffron, said his client will not appeal the suspension. Saffron expressed gratitude for the NFL giving “a great deal of guidance for Kareem throughout the process” in a brief statement.
Hunt’s suspension stems from an incident caught on camera at an Ohio hotel where he resided at the time, showing the ex-Chiefs running back assaulting a woman in the hallway during an altercation with multiple people. Investigations also found that Hunt was involved in another altercation at an Ohio resort last June and a third incident that got caught on video. The Chiefs released Hunt on the same day that the video of the hotel incident came out.
Hat tip to ESPN’s Field Yates, who informed his Twitter followers that Hunt will forfeit $303,529 of his $645,000 base salary sitting out the eight games. He will be able to earn an additional $25,000 per game in roster bonuses after he returns.
The Browns are on the Patriots’ schedule in 2019, coming to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. So there’s a 50-50 chance that Hunt’s suspension directly affects that game. Considering how much the Browns have loaded up on talent in the offseason, particularly by trading for superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr., they should be able to withstand Hunt’s absence in the first half of the season regardless of schedule.
But it should also be a little harder than it already is for them to win in Foxborough if they’re without Hunt, who has rushed for 228 yards and caught 10 passes for 203 yards with four total touchdowns in two career games against the Pats.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.