Baker Mayfield wisely remained quiet on Tuesday when an article was published in which Richard Sherman accused him of some classless antics during Monday night’s pregame coin toss, and video evidence proved that Sherman was exaggerating when he said Mayfield chose not to shake hands with his opponents. The Cleveland Browns quarterback has finally issued a response, and it’s a good one.
While speaking with the media on Wednesday, Mayfield said this is the one time it worked out in his favor that cameras were watching his every move.
#Browns Baker Mayfield says this is one time the cameras worked in his favor, with the Richard Sherman handshake flap pic.twitter.com/bmF6YDUOuG
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 9, 2019
After it was determined that Mayfield did, in fact, shake Sherman’s hand, the San Francisco 49ers cornerback apologized but claimed he still felt a lack of respect with the way Mayfield gave him a “petty shake.” Mayfield said that was in no way intentional.
“I respect him and who he is as a player,” Mayfield said. “He’s a great player and has been for a while. In no way did I mean it like that.”
Sherman originally made it seem like Mayfield didn’t shake hands with him at all, but various video angles showed that the two clearly shook hands before the toss. Mayfield then quickly jogged off the field after the toss when some other Browns players stayed behind to shake hands again, so that is probably what irritated Sherman. Still, the situation was clearly blown out of proportion.
As for the cameras finally helping Mayfield out, he has a point. The former Oklahoma star has seen footage in the past that shows everything from him getting arrested to grabbing his crotch and shouting profanity at opposing fans, so this must have been a nice break from the norm for him.
