Cleveland Browns' Baker Mayfield rips refs, fines: 'People need to be held accountable'
Cleveland Browns players are helping the NFL fill its coffers this week, and they are none too pleased with it.
First, Odell Beckham Jr. expressed his frustrations stemming from a $14,037 fine for not wearing pants that were long enough.
His quarterback, Baker Mayfield, told the media Wednesday he didn't regret the $12,500 fine handed to him for speaking out against officiating following the Browns' 32-28 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 13.
"I’d say that’s just stating facts. Freedom of speech I thought, but that’s OK, I get fined for it," Mayfield said, per cleveland.com. "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."
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The Browns, like much of the league, have had their gripes with officiating all season long, and Mayfield said he knew his wallet would feel lighter after he stepped to the podium two Sundays ago.
"It needs to be said," Mayfield said. "People need to be held accountable for their job. When it affects my job, it sucks because it’s not in my control."
Coming off a bye last week, the Browns will travel to play the New England Patriots on Sunday.