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A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 12 February 2019
Browns sign troubled running back Kareem Hunt

By TOM WITHERS sential steps to become a
AP Sports Writer performing member of this
CLEVELAND (AP) — The organization, aside from
Cleveland Browns' sign- what the NFL determines
ing of Kareem Hunt once from their ongoing investi-
again shines a spotlight gation."
somewhere other than Dorsey added that the
the team's on-field perfor- Browns have given Hunt
mance. "detailed plans with expec-
Hunt, who was released tations laid out that he un-
2½ months ago by Kansas derstands and must follow."
City after a video surfaced He said any similar incident
showing the star running will not be tolerated.
back pushing and kicking a In a statement released by
woman, signed with Cleve- the team, Hunt expressed
land on Monday. remorse and thanked the
Hunt was placed on the Browns for giving him an
NFL's commissioner's ex- opportunity.
empt list hours before the "First off, I would like to
Chiefs released him, a once again apologize for
move that drew public sup- my actions last year," Hunt
port after he was seen in In this Nov. 19, 2018, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt warms up before said. "What I did was wrong
a physical altercation with an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, in Los Angeles. and inexcusable. That is not
the woman last February Associated Press the man I was raised to be,
during an argument in the and I've learned a great
lobby of a downtown hotel with a crime. An NFL investi- of this decision-making pro- going and is committed deal from that experience
where he stayed. gation is ongoing. cess." to necessary professional and certainly should have
He was in his second sea- And the Browns, coming off "But we then did extensive treatment and a plan that been more truthful about it
son with Kansas City and a tumultuous 7-8-1 season due diligence with many has been clearly laid out." after the fact. I'm extremely
was one of the team's best that followed an 0-16 re- individuals, including clini- Dorsey went on to say the grateful that John Dorsey,
players. He led the NFL in cord in 2017 — with a new cal professionals, to have Browns "fully understand Dee and Jimmy Haslam
rushing as a rookie in 2017. coach after Hue Jackson a better understanding of and respect the complex- and the Cleveland Browns
The Browns are now giv- was fired midseason in 2018 the person he is today and ity of questions and issues organization are granting
ing the 23-year-old, who is — are creating headlines whether it was prudent to in signing a player with Ka- me the opportunity to earn
from Cleveland, a chance by giving a player a sec- sign him," said Dorsey, who reem's history and do not their trust and represent
to restart his career, though ond chance even as the was Kansas City's GM from condone his actions. Given their organization in the
he still could be suspended NFL has not yet decided 2013-16. "There were two what we know about Ka- best way possible on and
by the league under its per- Hunt's status. important factors: One is reem through our extensive off the field.
sonal conduct policy for Browns general manager that Kareem took full re- research, we believe he "I am committed to follow-
the incident and two oth- John Dorsey drafted Hunt sponsibility for his egregious deserves a second chance ing the necessary steps to
ers that surfaced after he while working for Kansas actions and showed true but certainly with the un- learn and to be a better
was released by the Chiefs. City and said their relation- remorse and secondly, just derstanding that he has to and healthier person from
Hunt has not been charged ship was an "important part as importantly, he is under- go through critical and es- this situation. q

Mariners arrive early to begin preparing for opener in Japan

By JACK MAGRUDER to do. Name tags would Servais said. "I like how he is clude outfielders Jay Chasen Bradford and Dan
Associated Press be good. Mandatory wear going about it. This time of Bruce, Domingo Santana, Altavilla. Gerson Bautista
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — If noth- your jersey out there with spring, you are not looking Mallex Smith and, for now, was acquired in the Bruce
ing else, the Seattle Mari- the name on the back." for top velocity or the crisp- DH Edwin Encarnacion. trade.
ners' early arrival for spring The most notable new face ness to the breaking balls. Dee Gordon, who was "We traded a lot of guys
training will give them a is left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, But his approach to how moved to center field last with established roles at
little more meet-and-greet who is expected to start he is going about it has season, will return to his the back end of the bull-
time. one of the two games the been fantastic." natural position at second pen, so it creates a lot of
The Mariners have 20 new Mariners will play in his na- Eighteen of the 34 pitch- base. opportunity for guys com-
players, including seven tive Japan. Seattle report- ers in camp are new, Ser- The bullpen composition is ing in," Servais said.
projected new starters, on ed to spring training a day vais estimated, and pitch- the least known quantity "We certainly have stuff.
their training camp roster earlier than most to pre- ing coach Paul Davis entering spring training fol- We have guys that throw
this spring after an offsea- pare for the season-open- also joined the staff after lowing the trade of closer hard and have good
son overhaul following an ing series against Oakland spending the last six years Edwin Diaz, who with Rob- breaking balls. The biggest
89-victory 2018 that still left in Tokyo on March 20-21. in the St. Louis Cardinals inson Cano was dealt to thing we have to offer is
them eight games out of Kikuchi, who signed a four- organization, most recent- the Mets for Bruce and opportunity. Who takes it
the playoffs. year, $56 million contract ly as the manager of the others. Diaz saved a fran- and runs with it, we'll find
"I've been studying mugs in the offseason, has been pitching analytics. chise-record and AL-high out."
of these guys to get a feel- in camp about a week "With the new coaches 57 games last season. Relief candidates Anthony
ing. It's going to be a little and already thrown sev- and new players, I'm so Hunter Strickland, Cory Swarzak and Sam Tuivaila-
bit different camp with all eral times. happy when they come Gearrin and Zac Rosscup la and will be delayed at
the new people," manag- "I did get a chance to see up and introduce them- signed one-year contracts the start of camp because
er Scott Servais said Mon- Kikuchi throw a bullpen selves to me," Servais said. as free agents this winter of medical issues, Servais
day. "A lot of educating yesterday. I really liked it," New position players in- to join Shawn Armstrong, said.q