Whitehead: ‘That was totally out of character for me’

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Jermaine Whitehead: ‘That was totally out of character for me’

Posted Nov 05, 2019

4-5 minutes

Sports

Safety Jermaine Whitehead is an NFL free agent after clearing waivers on Tuesday afternoon, the same day he apologized for a social-media outburst that prompted the Cleveland Browns to release him.

The former Auburn standout had started all eight of Cleveland’s games this season, but that didn’t keep the Browns from waiving him on Monday after he had promised to kill a critic on Twitter and threatened several others who had criticized his play.

Whitehead was replying to postings about his performance in the Browns' 24-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon. The tirade resulted in his Twitter account being suspended.

On his Instagram account on Tuesday, Whitehead wrote: "I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for my actions following our game with Denver. That was totally out of character for me. I do not justify my actions, but was extremely frustrated with the way I had played and our team losing because of it. I was playing with a broken hand, but that is no excuse for my actions, and I am deeply regretful.

"I want to personally apologize to anyone who I offended, especially those who I was responsive to on Twitter. My choice of words did not reflect who I am, but only what I was feeling. Also, my sincerest apologies to my teammates, coaches, the Browns organization and most of all, the fans and kids that motivate me to even pursue this dream. "Again I am deeply sorry for my unacceptable behavior, and I wish the Browns the best of luck in the future. I love you!"

At Auburn, Whitehead was suspended for four games during the 2014 season amid reports that he’d had a verbal altercation with a coach.

On Nov. 6, 2018, the Green Bay Packers waived Whitehead two days after he’d been ejected from a game for slapping the helmet of New England center David Andrews. The 15-yard penalty moved the Patriots to the Green Bay 30-yard line, and New England scored three snaps later to take a 17-10 lead with 1:57 left in the first half on its way to a 31-17 victory.

After Whitehead was waived by the Browns on Monday, Cleveland coach Freddie Kitchens was asked about the incident during his press conference.

“We try to educate our players into using social media to their advantage and certainly not their disadvantage,” Kitchens said. "As a general rule, that’s what we try to educate them on to do, and I think, for the most part, we do a good job of that. …

"We released a statement last night. We don't condone that type of behavior or talk or anything like that."

The Browns had released a statement on Sunday night that said the team found Whitehead’s profane and threatening social-media postings to be “totally unacceptable and highly inappropriate.”

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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