Mixon decision has Bengals facing backlash
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals are facing a backlash over their decision to draft running back Joe Mixon, who punched a woman in the face while at Oklahoma.
Cincinnati added to its reputation for embracing players with troubled histories when the Bengals took Mixon in the second round Friday. Even before Mixon arrived in town Saturday, the choice was getting panned.
WCPO-TV posted an editorial Saturday saying the club had gone too far this time. The editorial urged fans to stop buying Bengals tickets and instead donate the money to organizations that work to prevent violence against women.
Wearing a black Bengals polo shirt and a gold chain, Mixon got a warm reception at a fan event at Paul Brown Stadium. He knew there were mixed feelings in the community.
“It’s not really about winning anybody over,” Mixon said in an interview. “I come here to work and to be the best teammate, the best person, and try to do whatever I can around the community and get everybody together.”
Duty calls for Robinette
Wide receiver Jalen Robinette, who led the nation at 27.4 yards per catch, went undrafted after the Air Force told him last week that he would have to serve two years in the military before being allowed to play in the NFL.
Robinette, who is set to graduate from the Air Force Academy in less than a month, prepared for the draft believing he would be allowed to play in the NFL right away because of a U.S. Department of Defense ruling last summer.
But Robinette was informed Thursday night as the first round was underway that Air Force leaders had informed the academy that cadets still would be required to serve at least two years on active duty before being allowed to apply for the Ready Reserve, which would allow them to play professional sports.
Robinson, a projected mid-round pick who was the first Air Force player invited to the NFL combine, maintained a full class load while commuting 100 miles six days a week to train with other hopefuls in suburban Denver.
‘Mr. Irrelevant’ actually famous
“Mr. Irrelevant” was not so irrelevant this year.
The final player selected in the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, No. 253 overall, was Mississippi quarterback Chad Kelly.
The nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly has had numerous off-the-field issues in his career, plus he blew out his knee last season. He also injured his wrist during the offseason.
Odds and ends
Baylor wide receiver KD Cannon and Texas A&M’s Speedy Noil who declared for the draft and left school early were not selected and will try to land free-agent contracts. … The Southeastern Conference led the way with 53 players selected through seven rounds. Among schools, Michigan was first with a school-record 11 draftees and Alabama was second with 10. After the SEC in total picks were the Atlantic Coast Conference (42), Pac-12 (36), Big Ten (35) and Big 12 (14). It was the fewest Big 12 players picked since the conference formed in 1996. The Big 12 had 26 picks last year.
From staff and wire reports