Austin Hooper implies others were to blame for leaked stories about Baker Mayfield

Former Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper implies others leaked negative stories about Baker Mayfield.

We’re always told that those in the locker room know the truth of a situation, and that may be true in some cases. In the case of Austin Hooper, who is no longer a member of the Cleveland Browns, it feels odd that he’d lie about what happened during his time in Cleveland. If he were an active player, it’d make more sense that he’d want to put the best possible spin on his team in the moment.

But after that moment’s end, why would he lie? So I’m curious how people will react to finding out that Hooper holds Baker Mayfield in high regard, and that his losing the locker room wasn’t actually the case after all.

Heading into 2022, the Browns moved on from Mayfield for the maligned Deshaun Watson, and instantly the negative reports came out about Mayfield. Reports claiming that he lost the locker room or that he was “childish” got leaked to the media, with many assuming it came from past teammates.

Yet, Hooper claims that’s not what happened at all, telling Jim Rome (via Pro Football Talk)  that non-players were the ones leaking those stories just to make the controversial move from Mayfield to Watson seem better;

"Everything that came out about him, it was nothing from guys on the team. It was just once decisions were made, certain people within the building had to justify their decisions — that’s all I’m going to say about that piece.But he’s never had any issues with anyone in the locker room. He’s a great teammate, good dude, always checks in on everyone. And, you’ve seen him, he gets his opportunities, especially with the Rams coming in on short notice and getting his opportunity, going and succeeding.…He’s a real person. And a lot of…at least the vast majority of the teammates I played with really appreciated that about him. Because I feel like, in my opinion, most quarterbacks kind of have this malaise to them. And Baker exudes life and brings energy into every room at least I was in with him. I really appreciate that about him, just the way he goes about his business. And I’m wishing him the best. Good dude."

It’s very likely the Cleveland Browns would leak stories to discredit Baker Mayfield

I want to believe that Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry are good guys. Sure, they’ve made some controversial decisions, but largely, you hope they do the right things. Jimmy Haslam on the other hand is as controversial as they come. The Pilot Flying J scheme, the fact he threw his own daughters under the bus by saying the Deshaun Watson trade was ok, because his daughters signed off on it, and the numerous times he’s been accused of being a horrid owner, all paint a picture of Haslam willing to do nefarious things.

Then add on how we know for a fact that outlets like ESPN and Adam Scaffter specifically, will hype up controversial players and moves just in order to keep getting early access to news, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to believe that Haslam would plant stories in the press.

Even if they’re not using ESPN to plant stories.

After all, if ESPN is willing to engage in this practice, why wouldn’t others?

For those who don’t remember, Schefter tweeted in defense of Watson and was widely condemned for it. This isn’t the first time that Shefter proved he could be bought, as he sent an unpublished story to the Washington Commanders in 2011 to have them proofread and take out anything they didn’t want to be included.

A serious breach of journalism ethics. If Bruce Allen, then general manager of Washington’s team, could have so much pull that he has ESPN’s top leading NFL insider sending him unpublished stories to alter, imagine what someone like Haslam could do.

This is a dirty and at times disingenuous business, and I fully believe that stories were cooked by the Browns to help make their still-controversial decision seem better at the time.