Update: Kareem Hunt signs w/ Browns

[G08]

I will admit, I am jaded. I have heard hundreds of times the past 30 yrs, "I'm sorry", "I will never do it again", "I didn't mean to", "I will change", "I promise",....blah, blah, blah. It is hard for me to buy. There are 3 reported incidents. No arrests, but 3 separate reports. Are they true? We will probably never know. But I would err on the side of being cautious.

This team can win without a guy like this. RBs can be found. I don't want the Bears to put all their eggs in this guys basket no matter how fair the contract is to the Bears. They are no desperate. Me, as a fan, am not desperate. I can do without him.

Here's what I could find:

JANUARY: Kansas City, Missouri
A man walked in to a Kansas City police station on January 11 to report that he was assaulted on January 7 at a nightclub by several people, including Hunt and his teammate George Atkinson, according to a police incident report.

JUNE: Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Hunt was still on the Chiefs' roster on June 3 when police in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, responded to what the department called a "minor altercation" at a local establishment.
"All involved parties declined to pursue charges. Put-in-Bay officers then cleared the scene with nothing further to report," the Put-in-Bay Police Department said in a statement without describing what happened.
"Shortly after this incident occurred, the NFL sent an official to pursue other facts from this incident."
Local media, citing police and a witness to the altercation, reported Hunt punched a man at the Bay Lodging Resort.

[Umbali]

Maybe I am jaded or just shallow. If he is cleared sign him. If he helps us win, sign him. If he doesnt mess up the locker room , sign him. Would I have said the same about Ray Rice? Nope. Totally different.

All the moral issues set aside, I will say, if signing him measn Howard is gone, that will seem bad at first, but Howard will be gone anyway. I personally think the reason Nagy hasnt run the ball when he should is because Howard just doesnt fit what Nagy wants to do. He can still be effective as we have seen, but maybe not Nagy Effective.

I dont know offhand what % of running plays to Hunt that Nagy called in those 5 games he called the plays but it would be interesting to see.

[Xee]

I don't know, even though it was a decade ago, I still remember Tank Johnson and Cedric Benson, two guys who were given multiple second chances and threw them away. Can't help but think the same thing would happen with Kareem.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

This is the first time I have really dissected the videos. That I have watched and listened to what ACTUALLY went on. Watch these videos, and then you tell me who is at fault, and who is responsible. Listen to both of their explanations of the incident. That chick pushed multiple people trying to get to Hunt, and was hit, not by Hunt, but by someone being pushed into her. The kick at the end...that was minor at best.

I would sign Kareem tomorrow. That chick was trolling for a superstar. I'm sorry, I'm not into victim shaming, but I am also not into professional athletes getting targeted for their fame and money. Was everybody drinking, yeah probably. But that is their right as an over 21 year old in the US. Did he have the right to go out and party with his friends? Absolutely. Did she have the right to harass and provoke him? Absolutely not.

The incident

Two sides of the story

The Bears have a locker room that would help Hunt, not hurt him. With players like Mack, Hicks, Long and Robinson. They would be there as a positive force, not a negative one.

Sign that kid tomorrow.

[G08]

This is the first time I have really dissected the videos. That I have watched and listened to what ACTUALLY went on. Watch these videos, and then you tell me who is at fault, and who is responsible. Listen to both of their explanations of the incident. That chick pushed multiple people trying to get to Hunt, and was hit, not by Hunt, but by someone being pushed into her. The kick at the end...that was minor at best.

I would sign Kareem tomorrow. That chick was trolling for a superstar. I'm sorry, I'm not into victim shaming, but I am also not into professional athletes getting targeted for their fame and money. Was everybody drinking, yeah probably. But that is their right as an over 21 year old in the US. Did he have the right to go out and party with his friends? Absolutely. Did she have the right to harass and provoke him? Absolutely not.

The incident

Two sides of the story

The Bears have a locker room that would help Hunt, not hurt him. With players like Mack, Hicks, Long and Robinson. They would be there as a positive force, not a negative one.

Sign that kid tomorrow.

Thank you! Meanwhile in Chiago I'm hearing the video is graphic and depicts him beating/brutalizing a woman. It's laughable.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

This is the first time I have really dissected the videos. That I have watched and listened to what ACTUALLY went on. Watch these videos, and then you tell me who is at fault, and who is responsible. Listen to both of their explanations of the incident. That chick pushed multiple people trying to get to Hunt, and was hit, not by Hunt, but by someone being pushed into her. The kick at the end...that was minor at best.

I would sign Kareem tomorrow. That chick was trolling for a superstar. I'm sorry, I'm not into victim shaming, but I am also not into professional athletes getting targeted for their fame and money. Was everybody drinking, yeah probably. But that is their right as an over 21 year old in the US. Did he have the right to go out and party with his friends? Absolutely. Did she have the right to harass and provoke him? Absolutely not.

The incident

Two sides of the story

The Bears have a locker room that would help Hunt, not hurt him. With players like Mack, Hicks, Long and Robinson. They would be there as a positive force, not a negative one.

Sign that kid tomorrow.

Thank you! Meanwhile in Chiago I'm hearing the video is graphic and depicts him beating/brutalizing a woman. It's laughable.

Brutalizing a woman?? Watch the incident video, and you tell me where he DIRECTLY brutalizes her? TWO times she pushed one of Kareem's friends, and then he pushes back, and indirectly knocks her down. He swiped his leg at her. He was free and clear. If he wanted to KICK her, he could have made a 43 yard FG (sorry) with her flailing body. Then in the subsequent interview video, she is desperately trying to get a hold of the hotel video.

Sorry, I'm not buying that he is a woman beater. I will believe that he lied to the Chiefs so he didn't get fired, but that is any employees problem trying to save their ass.

Sign Kareem tomorrow and don't look back. I will argue against anyone that says he is a woman beater. That is bullshit.

Ray Rice...completely different incident. Ray Rice cold cocked a woman. That's not what happened here.

Sign Kareem.

[The Marshall Plan]

I personally don't believe in ruining people's lives over small, in the grand scheme of offenses, like that. The league suspended him. Let everybody move on with their lives.

He should be allowed back in the league and whoever signs him is going to get a great player. I hope its the Bears.

[cblaz11]

Question....

What about a looming suspension? I’ve heard rumors that he could actually be suspended for the entire 2019 season.

[skamanfrank]

EDIT/DELETED: I was thinking of Foster, not Hunt

[VA_Mountain_Bear]

I do believe in people being able to redeem themselves, if they truly want to. I cannot condone violence to women or children at all. I do also think you have to look at the circumstances where someone becomes aggressive as every person on the world has a breaking point where they will gets aggressive as well.

Aggravating circumstances: Alcohol and group of young people together partying (we've all been young and partying with friends and know/remember how the energy and impulsiveness went up)
Actions: Hunt trying to make a guest leave
Guest becomes aggressive and tries to get to Hunt multiple times
Guest calls Hunt the N-word - cannot under estimate the pain this caused or minimize it
People pushed/bumped into Hunt by guest during confrontation and Hunt pushes people back off of himself causing guest to be knocked down
***Fuck-up Alert*** swipes leg towards fallen guest, for anyone whose seen kicks with intent to harm, that was more symbolic than savage, but either way was unacceptable

Clearly there is a major difference between this in scale and provocation than Ray Rice, McDonald, and a bunch of other men who were clearly intent on physically harming a woman.

Hunt should not be excused lightly, and I reiterate what I've said before. IF he is truly remorseful and committed to growth and change, he will not just do "anger management" but enter a program of therapy to unpack what brought him to a place where he has acted aggressively at least once confirmed time as a way of dealing with confrontation, possibly more pending investigation, as well as working towards more healthy ways of coping, thinking, and responding. IF he is willing and committed to that personal growth, than he is worth giving a chance to and signing him. If he is half-assed about it or less than committed, than no team should take the risk on him.

From a talent perspective, he would be a perfect fit for our offense and would elevate our play. I'm willing to extend the 2nd chance with our team IF he meets the above, if not...don't take the risk.

[G08]

Question....

What about a looming suspension? I’ve heard rumors that he could actually be suspended for the entire 2019 season.

I think that is a very slippery slope for the NFL. They're going to suspend a man for an entire season for something that was not pursued by police, and no citation or conviction on his record?

Doubt it.

6 games is what I expect.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Question....

What about a looming suspension? I’ve heard rumors that he could actually be suspended for the entire 2019 season.

I think that is a very slippery slope for the NFL. They're going to suspend a man for an entire season for something that was not pursued by police, and no citation or conviction on his record?

Doubt it.

6 games is what I expect.

Does he get credit for time served?

[G08]

Question....

What about a looming suspension? I’ve heard rumors that he could actually be suspended for the entire 2019 season.

I think that is a very slippery slope for the NFL. They're going to suspend a man for an entire season for something that was not pursued by police, and no citation or conviction on his record?

Doubt it.

6 games is what I expect.

Does he get credit for time served?

No idea but I am going to guess no.

[BR0D1E86]

I personally don't believe in ruining people's lives over small, in the grand scheme of offenses, like that. The league suspended him. Let everybody move on with their lives.

He should be allowed back in the league and whoever signs him is going to get a great player. I hope its the Bears.

They actually didn’t suspend him yet. He’s on the commissioners exempt list. He still could be suspended for the incident. I suspect he will be, I doubt he gets “time served” for being released given the optics of the situation.

[Boris13c]

I don't know, even though it was a decade ago, I still remember Tank Johnson and Cedric Benson, two guys who were given multiple second chances and threw them away. Can't help but think the same thing would happen with Kareem.

The published stories and accounts of events certainly do not paint a very flattering picture of him. And I'm cynical enough to brush off promises of "learned my lesson", "won't happen again" responses from the player himself as simply saying what needs to be said in order to be able to again get a paycheck for playing a game.

If the Bears do sign him, it would need to be a contract that spells out what happens if he turns out to be a no account douche.

[Richie]

I don't know, even though it was a decade ago, I still remember Tank Johnson and Cedric Benson, two guys who were given multiple second chances and threw them away. Can't help but think the same thing would happen with Kareem.

The published stories and accounts of events certainly do not paint a very flattering picture of him. And I'm cynical enough to brush off promises of "learned my lesson", "won't happen again" responses from the player himself as simply saying what needs to be said in order to be able to again get a paycheck for playing a game.

If the Bears do sign him, it would need to be a contract that spells out what happens if he turns out to be a no account douche.

Didn't the white girl he pushed call him a "ni**er"??? Or was that just bogus?

[G08]

I don't know, even though it was a decade ago, I still remember Tank Johnson and Cedric Benson, two guys who were given multiple second chances and threw them away. Can't help but think the same thing would happen with Kareem.

The published stories and accounts of events certainly do not paint a very flattering picture of him. And I'm cynical enough to brush off promises of "learned my lesson", "won't happen again" responses from the player himself as simply saying what needs to be said in order to be able to again get a paycheck for playing a game.

If the Bears do sign him, it would need to be a contract that spells out what happens if he turns out to be a no account douche.

Didn't the white girl he pushed call him a "ni**er"??? Or was that just bogus?

It's alleged, I don't think there is a recording of it or anything.

This is the shit that drives me crazy, everyone is all over this kid but nobody says a single thing about the girl's role in this and how she was the aggressor in a couple instances. It's so stupid.

I'd bet if every single male on this board was her height/weight/strength they wouldn't have gotten in Hunts face like this, slapped him, or chased after him after he left. Unless they were looking for a fight and/or ready to get their ass kicked.

[IotaNet]

... This is the shit that drives me crazy, everyone is all over this kid but nobody says a single thing about the girl's role in this and how she was the aggressor in a couple instances. It's so stupid.

I'd bet if every single male on this board was her height/weight/strength they wouldn't have gotten in Hunts face like this, slapped him, or chased after him after he left. Unless they were looking for a fight and/or ready to get their ass kicked.

That's the sad thing about these young guys in sports.

You take a young person in their 20's, give them more money than most people will ever see in a lifetime and tell them to be responsible adults. In the meantime, every hanger-on, golddigger, bad actor in the world is glomming onto them with one hand open and the other carrying a cellphone/camera.

Then everyone sits back and tut-tuts about how irresponsible they are and what stupid decisions they make. Even though most people in that situation (myself included at 25 years old) would be totally unprepared for the kind of crap they have to deal with.

I hope Hunt is able to make it through to the other side of this.

[G08]

... This is the shit that drives me crazy, everyone is all over this kid but nobody says a single thing about the girl's role in this and how she was the aggressor in a couple instances. It's so stupid.

I'd bet if every single male on this board was her height/weight/strength they wouldn't have gotten in Hunts face like this, slapped him, or chased after him after he left. Unless they were looking for a fight and/or ready to get their ass kicked.

That's the sad thing about these young guys in sports.

You take a young person in their 20's, give them more money than most people will ever see in a lifetime and tell them to be responsible adults. In the meantime, every hanger-on, golddigger, bad actor in the world is glomming onto them with one hand open and the other carrying a cellphone/camera.

Then everyone sits back and tut-tuts about how irresponsible they are and what stupid decisions they make. Even though most people in that situation (myself included at 25 years old) would be totally unprepared for the kind of crap they have to deal with.

I hope Hunt is able to make it through to the other side of this.

G08 at 23 years old? Thank GOD they didn't have cellphone cameras back then

(no I wasn't going around accosting people -- I'm a lover, not a fighter)

[wab]

... This is the shit that drives me crazy, everyone is all over this kid but nobody says a single thing about the girl's role in this and how she was the aggressor in a couple instances. It's so stupid.

I'd bet if every single male on this board was her height/weight/strength they wouldn't have gotten in Hunts face like this, slapped him, or chased after him after he left. Unless they were looking for a fight and/or ready to get their ass kicked.

That's the sad thing about these young guys in sports.

You take a young person in their 20's, give them more money than most people will ever see in a lifetime and tell them to be responsible adults. In the meantime, every hanger-on, golddigger, bad actor in the world is glomming onto them with one hand open and the other carrying a cellphone/camera.

Then everyone sits back and tut-tuts about how irresponsible they are and what stupid decisions they make. Even though most people in that situation (myself included at 25 years old) would be totally unprepared for the kind of crap they have to deal with.

I hope Hunt is able to make it through to the other side of this.

G08 at 23 years old? Thank GOD they didn't have cellphone cameras back then

(no I wasn't going around accosting people -- I'm a lover, not a fighter)

Man I was. I was a hotheaded fighter in my 20's. I hung out with the wrong people and did all the wrong things.

Thank god there were no cellphones or social media... I know it would have absolutely burned me.

[dplank]

wab...at 23, would it have done you good to have taken a year off from school and/or work to "work on yourself" and "reflect on your violence issues"? hahahahaha

How fucking stupid are people, yet I'm hearing this all over the place. I'm with you guys, I did PLENTY wrong at that age. Lots of fights, usually when drunk, rarely my fault (from my POV at least). I'm Akiem Hicks size, like literally his height/weight, and very often some drunk ass would pick a fight with the biggest guy in the bar to show how tough he was - frequently that was me lol...

There are some real sanctimonious asshats out there. Jebus.

I'll buy a Hunt jersey if he signs with the Bears. And I'll have a the H removable with a C behind it if anyone gives me shit for wearing it.

[G08]

I'll buy a Hunt jersey if he signs with the Bears. And I'll have a the H removable with a C behind it if anyone gives me shit for wearing it.

[AZ_Bearfan]

I think what people are missing is that he wasn't cut for the altercation. No team cuts the best RB in football for a spat. He was cut for lying to everybody in the organizations face. As a coach, I would need to know if he was remorseful for the fight, or for getting caught.

[G08]

I think what people are missing is that he wasn't cut for the altercation. No team cuts the best RB in football for a spat. He was cut for lying to everybody in the organizations face. As a coach, I would need to know if he was remorseful for the fight, or for getting caught.

Watching that interview, I don't think he realized how bad it looked on video until he actually saw it.

Could have been too drunk? Could have been a liar, I honestly don't know.

[Otis Day]

I think what people are missing is that he wasn't cut for the altercation. No team cuts the best RB in football for a spat. He was cut for lying to everybody in the organizations face. As a coach, I would need to know if he was remorseful for the fight, or for getting caught.

Truthfully, how will you ever know, find out? Someone pretty damn dumb would have to say, "Well coach, I am sorry I was caught." That never happens. People apologize for the obvious.

I don't know this guy, he is a helluva player, have nothing against the Bears if the sign him, I am just a devil's advocate. When people lose their lively hood, they tend to start saying the right things. Convicted criminals, more often than not, apologize, find Christ, shit they didn't do before being caught.

A lot of times apologizing and looking remorseful are natural reactions to getting caught. Time will tell with this guy. For his sake I hope he straightens his shit out.

[AZ_Bearfan]

Like I tell my son, either stop fighting/cussing at school or stop getting caught. At this point I'd take either.

[AZ_Bearfan]

Could have been too drunk? Could have been a liar, I honestly don't know.

Yeah I never considered the fact that he might not even remember what happened. It's not an excuse, but it would explain his version of the events not aligning with the video.

[Mikefive]

I think what people are missing is that he wasn't cut for the altercation. No team cuts the best RB in football for a spat. He was cut for lying to everybody in the organizations face. As a coach, I would need to know if he was remorseful for the fight, or for getting caught.

Truthfully, how will you ever know, find out? Someone pretty damn dumb would have to say, "Well coach, I am sorry I was caught." That never happens. People apologize for the obvious.

I don't know this guy, he is a helluva player, have nothing against the Bears if the sign him, I am just a devil's advocate. When people lose their lively hood, they tend to start saying the right things. Convicted criminals, more often than not, apologize, find Christ, shit they didn't do before being caught.

A lot of times apologizing and looking remorseful are natural reactions to getting caught. Time will tell with this guy. For his sake I hope he straightens his shit out.

I found it interesting and wryly truthful when he said that he was embarrassed that that video got out. Not his behavior, mind you.

I tend to land around Otis on this. Should people get 2nd chances? Sure. But you don't want the same guy on your team. You just don't. So you need to have some pretty convincing evidence that he's truly changed. Otherwise, you look like a fool.

Many are saying that it wasn't a big deal, nobody got badly hurt. (That includes me.) It may sound dumb, but what really bothers me is that he had 2 other lesser incidents since. I know they were relatively small deals, but that really says a lot about this guy's thought process. When you got yourself in a situation that's bad enough that you had to lie to your team who loves you and wants to support you, then you should be smart enough--even at age 23--to make a decision that you're not going to even put yourself in those kinds of situations, which involved drinking and maybe other things in public places with people you met that day.

And maybe that's easy for me to say. I was married at 21, working and stayed out of trouble. But if you're Pace/Nagy who are staking their reputations on a guy, you better see an extraordinary change before you commit.

[Funkster]

This is the first time I have really dissected the videos. That I have watched and listened to what ACTUALLY went on. Watch these videos, and then you tell me who is at fault, and who is responsible. Listen to both of their explanations of the incident. That chick pushed multiple people trying to get to Hunt, and was hit, not by Hunt, but by someone being pushed into her. The kick at the end...that was minor at best.

I would sign Kareem tomorrow. That chick was trolling for a superstar. I'm sorry, I'm not into victim shaming, but I am also not into professional athletes getting targeted for their fame and money. Was everybody drinking, yeah probably. But that is their right as an over 21 year old in the US. Did he have the right to go out and party with his friends? Absolutely. Did she have the right to harass and provoke him? Absolutely not.

The incident

Two sides of the story

The Bears have a locker room that would help Hunt, not hurt him. With players like Mack, Hicks, Long and Robinson. They would be there as a positive force, not a negative one.

Sign that kid tomorrow.

Thank you! Meanwhile in Chiago I'm hearing the video is graphic and depicts him beating/brutalizing a woman. It's laughable.

I wrote basically the same thing in the Nagy/pace thread. This incident was nothing like Ray Rice Knocking out his wife. Hunt doesn’t have any previous domestic violence incident like Greg Hardy or Ruben Foster. The young female was the aggressor and hit Hunt in the face. She was pushed into the wall inadvertently by someone else. The “kick” was minor at best, there was no intent to harm. The click bait headline of brutalizing are laughable.

I also said let the law handle these situations. The NFL has proven they’re not qualified to judge these matters. They get it wrong time and time again. They don’t even understand the ideal gas law and give a player (Brady) a four game suspension and a 8 game suspension (including time previously served) to another player (Kendricks) for pleading guilty to two federal crimes which he could face up to 25 years in prison for. Really? That’s worth only 4 more games than fractions of air?

IMO, Hunts biggest mistakes were 1.) not calling hotel security. 2.) Not being 100% truthful to the chiefs when question about the incident. Given the severity of the NFL’s recent stance on DV, I can’t say I blame him. Whether or not the bears sign him, his career shouldn’t be in jeopardy over his.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

... This is the shit that drives me crazy, everyone is all over this kid but nobody says a single thing about the girl's role in this and how she was the aggressor in a couple instances. It's so stupid.

I'd bet if every single male on this board was her height/weight/strength they wouldn't have gotten in Hunts face like this, slapped him, or chased after him after he left. Unless they were looking for a fight and/or ready to get their ass kicked.

That's the sad thing about these young guys in sports.

You take a young person in their 20's, give them more money than most people will ever see in a lifetime and tell them to be responsible adults. In the meantime, every hanger-on, golddigger, bad actor in the world is glomming onto them with one hand open and the other carrying a cellphone/camera.

Then everyone sits back and tut-tuts about how irresponsible they are and what stupid decisions they make. Even though most people in that situation (myself included at 25 years old) would be totally unprepared for the kind of crap they have to deal with.

I hope Hunt is able to make it through to the other side of this.

G08 at 23 years old? Thank GOD they didn't have cellphone cameras back then

(no I wasn't going around accosting people -- I'm a lover, not a fighter)

Man I was. I was a hotheaded fighter in my 20's. I hung out with the wrong people and did all the wrong things.

Thank god there were no cellphones or social media... I know it would have absolutely burned me.

I was just a drunk idiot back in my day.