Cleveland Browns Cut Player Over His Post-Game Tweets

It started with tweets and ended with one. "We've waived S Jermaine Whitehead," the Cleveland Browns tweeted Monday in sharing the news it had cut its safety over tweets he posted right after the team's 24-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, reports the AP. ESPN reports Whitehead found himself a target of criticism on the platform after he missed two big tackles. Though his Twitter account had been suspended "before he had even left the visiting locker room," per ESPN, screenshots show threatening and vulgar language directed at a former NFL player who works for the team's radio network and fans. A sample line: "Don't get smoked f--- a-- cracker."

The Browns released this statement Sunday night: "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." Whitehead took to Instagram, writing in part in a since-deleted post, "They tell you take the high road, when yo whole life you was taught to meet fire with fire." At Fox News, Ryan Gaydos writes that things haven't been so hot for the team, and "the criticism ... is sure to get louder after the Browns' latest loss. Cleveland dropped to 2-6 on the season and a loss to a team with a backup quarterback doesn't help things." The AP notes it was Whitehead's second season with the team. (More Cleveland Browns stories.)