Hunt: ‘Chiefs did what was right’
Running back Kareem Hunt acknowledged that he misled the Kansas City Chiefs about his role in a February assault in a Cleveland hotel that ultimately led to his release Friday.
During a live interview with ESPN on Sunday, the NFL’s reigning rushing champion also said that league officials never spoke to him about the incident while conducting their investigation and that he never saw the security-camera video until TMZ Sports posted it Friday.
In the course of a few hours, Hunt went from preparing for Sunday’s game in Oakland, Calif., to being sent home from the practice facility. He was then put on the NFL’s Commissioner Exemption List, summoned back to the team facility and told that he was being released.
“They believed that I lied to them. I lied to them,” Hunt said. “They pretty much said we love you, everybody cares about you, and just we have to let you go. It was a tough conversation. And the Chiefs did what was right. I made a poor decision, and I’m willing to take full responsibility.”
In the video, Hunt is seen arguing with a woman, and several men step in to hold him back. He later pushes one of the men, knocking down a woman whom Hunt admitted he did not know, and eventually kicks her while she lays on the ground.
♦ Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdown passes to join Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks to reach the 40-touchdown mark through 12 games as the visiting Chiefs beat the Raiders 40-33. Spencer Ware replaced Hunt as starter and scored on a direct snap on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the third quarter.
Chargers 33, Steelers 30
Michael Badgley kicked a 29yard field goal on the final play to lift Los Angeles over host Pittsburgh. Badgley initially missed a 39-yard kick, but the Steelers were called for offside. His ensuing 34-yard attempt was blocked, but the Steelers were flagged for jumping across the line of scrimmage before the snap. He drilled his third attempt at the game-winner, and the Chargers gleefully declined another penalty.
Philip Rivers went 26-for-36 for 299 yards and two touchdowns for the Chargers. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 281 yards and two scores for the Steelers, who have lost their last two.
Jaguars 6, Colts 0
Jalen Ramsey and the Jacksonville defense delivered one of the most dominant performances in franchise history, shutting out visiting Indianapolis. The Jaguars needed that effort to make up for a lackluster offense and end a seven-game losing streak. They also snapped the Colts’ five-game winning streak.
Ravens 26, Falcons 16
Rookie Lamar Jackson ran for a touchdown, and Baltimore’s defense had a dominating performance in victory. Tavon Young scored after scooping up a fumble by Matt Ryan, and the Ravens held Atlanta to 131 total yards in their third consecutive win.
Texans 29, Browns 13
Deshaun Watson threw a touchdown pass and host Houston intercepted Cleveland rookie Baker Mayfield three times, returning one for a score, to extend its franchise-record winning streak to nine games.
Buccaneers 24, Panthers 17
Jameis Winston threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns to lead host Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers won for the second time since Winston regained his starting job. Carolina has lost four in a row.