On Sunday, shortly after the Cleveland Browns suffered a 24-19 loss to the Denver Broncos, Browns safety Jermaine Whitehead reportedly issued a series of tweets threatening his critics, as ESPN reported.
Whitehead was reportedly still in full uniform when he unleashed a series of violent threats online, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic.
“One thing guys: Browns PR was absolutely right to get Whitehead out of there and not let him say anything (else) he might regret. So don’t blame them. He was still in full uniform while he was sending the tweets,” wrote Jackson, as the Complex noted.
One thing guys: Browns PR was absolutely right to get Whitehead out of there and not let him say anything (else) he might regret. So don’t blame them. He was still in full uniform while he was sending the tweets.
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) November 4, 2019
Jackson also wrote that a team official, in a conversation loud enough to be heard across the locker room, asked Whitehead to delete the tweets, but Whitehead refused. As Yahoo News reported, “The Twitter account is not verified, but the Browns issued a statement Sunday evening acknowledging the posts were made by Whitehead.”
During the game, Broncos tight end Noah Fanta slammed Whitehead to the ground as he dashed to a 75-yard touchdown. Whitehead, who was playing with his left hand in a brace, also missed a tackle on another play that gained the Broncos big yardage. He had no tackles in the game.
The miscues drew criticism of Whitehead on social media; former NFL player Dustin Fox slammed him on a postgame show for the Browns radio network.
When one Twitter user wrote, “Just saw two for 110 yards and a td. F*** boy,” Whitehead replied, “Don’t get shot at lil b**** … can you whoop my a**.. f*** football. .. let me know when you need my address …” To another critic he replied, “Imma kill you b**** that’s on blood.” When someone tweeted, “Give me a time and a place. You suck,’ Whitehead responded with an address followed by “Any f***in day of the week ??? CRACKER.”
After Fox tweeted, “Whitehead’s effort tackling today is a joke,” Whitehead tweeted back, “Come get it in blood b**** made a** little boy. I’m out there with a broke hand .. don’t get smoked f*** a** cracker.”
Whitehead’s Twitter account was suspended before he left the locker room. The Complex noted that Whitehead started at the safety position on Sunday because Damarious Randall has been dealing with an injured hamstring.
The Browns issued a statement regarding Whitehead’s actions, saying, “Jermaine Whitehead’s social media posts following today’s game were totally unacceptable and highly inappropriate. We immediately spoke with Jermaine upon learning of these comments. The Browns in no way condone that type of language or behavior. This matter will be further addressed internally.”
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) November 4, 2019
Whitehead continued his fulminating on his verified Instagram account, writing:
Crazy world. They line it up and say anything in the book too you. They tell you take the high road, when yo whole life you was taught to meet fire with fire. I do apologize for my performance, but having a broke hand and a strong fear of letting my team down is my downfall. Whatever happens happens. Ain trippin. They probably gone still talk crazy but this me getting smoke off my chest. I don’t need one like.. this from me to me! Keep ya head up homie, can’t nobody f*** with you. I dare em to try.