Baker Mayfield Needs To Be Suspended
I'm a red-blooded American man. There are a few things in this life that I love. I love football, I love an ice cold beer, and…and TWINS.
But mostly what I really love is protecting athletes from suffering repeated brain injuries throughout the course of their career so that they can go on to live happy and healthy lives outside of football once their playing days are over. And right now Baker Mayfield is the biggest threat to that.
Electric? I think not. That's just reckless right there, is what that is.
The NFL rulebook clearly states that no player is permitted to "lower his head and make forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.” Now you'll notice the word "opponent" is thrown in there, so we've entered a bit of a gray area here. Technically speaking, friendly fire isn't against the rules. But keep in mind that like 48 hours ago, Robert Rochell would have been an opponent of Baker Mayfield's. Again, it's a gray area.
One instance in that gray area is fine. Football is a violent game, and Baker Mayfield is a violent celebrator. But it wasn't just last night, now was it?
Count 'em up. That was SIX (6!!) instances where Baker Mayfield violated the NFL's targeting rule. Add in the one from last night and that's 7 different instances in the same season. Vontaze Burfict couldn't even dream about putting up those numbers. That clearly puts Baker Mayfield in the repeated offenders category.
If you're Roger Goodell and you want to make it clear that you actually care about player safety, then I don't see how you don't suspend Baker. I'm happy for the guy that he got the win last night. I really am. But players come and go in this league. The rules are forever. Protect the shield.