Roger Goodell is ready to let Kareem Hunt stay with the Browns for at least part of his 8-game suspension

CLEVELAND, Ohio – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could accept the Browns' request to allow halfback Kareem Hunt to stay with the team for at least part of his eight-game suspension for two physical altercations.

"I left the door open for some of the suspension, which would allow me to get back to the facility sooner," Goodell told a press conference at the NFL annual meetings. "We have often done this in the context of longer suspensions, in the best interest of the player, so that a player can adjust, have the opportunity to resume the practice routine, including practices.

"But everything will depend on consistency with the points we agreed upon when I met Kareem. What we have presented and what we have agreed regarding the use of league resources and the Players' Association to ensure that it makes better decisions for the future is very important. clearly stated. I think that will be the foundation of any decision I make on this. "

Hunt, 23, who is currently undergoing treatment for anger management and community service, met with Goodell the week before the suspension was issued on March 15, and fulfilled all the terms of his protocol since signing the contract by the Browns on February 11th. .

In light of his progress, the Browns asked Goodell to allow him to stay with the team for treatment and football activities after the start of his ban on August 31, said a league source in Cleveland. com. Generally, players are banned from the team's facilities for most of these suspensions.

"It's complicated," Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told drummers covering the meetings on Tuesday. "I think the league and the commissioner understand that players have an interest in being allowed to enter the building for all the reasons that make us understand, the structure, and so on. But there is a fairly complex set of circumstances between the union, the club and the club. the league that needs to be worked.

"It has not been finalized. We obviously want it to be there all the time but it has not been finalized. Absolutely, we firmly believe (it's better) to have it in the building. & # 39; & # 39;

Dee Haslam said that she and Jimmy were participating in the signing once they met Hunt about an hour ago.

"That's what led us to say yes," she said. "This is a really nice young man who has obviously made horrible mistakes, but who owns it. He possessed them. Wants to do better. Wants to be a better person. Listening to John (Dorsey) and Freddie, they were confident that he would contribute to the team and could do it. This is in Kareem. He must prove it. But it's a young man who has made a terrible mistake. We thought about it a lot.

When asked if she trusted him, Dee replied, "It all depends on him. Obviously, there is no guarantee here. He seemed very sincere and very remorseful. He realized that his actions were unacceptable. "

In February 2018, he was captured on video, kicking a woman in the hallway of her apartment in downtown Cleveland. and in June, he reportedly fought with a man in a Put-in-Bay facility in Ohio.

Head coach Freddie Kitchens is pleased with Hunt's progress since the signing of the contract by the Browns and is pleased with his presence at least full-time until the suspension begins.

"There's a good side to that, Kareem will have the opportunity to rub elbows with his teammates up to this point," said Kitchens. "So for us, it's crucial because we want to immerse him in the team.He's immersed himself in Cleveland.He's trying to become a better person, and I'm delighted for Kareem of the progress that he has made as a result. " & # 39;

Kitchens also indicated that he was not worried about the eight missed matches as long as Hunt was performing all the tasks that were required.

"I want him to continue to progress as a person, because in 30 years, once the football is over, he'll have everything he'll have," Kitchens said. "Same with Odell (Beckham Jr.) The same thing with every player we have, I want to make them grow as people, just as much as I want to make them as football players, and it's not at all a service.

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