Browns’ Hunt ‘blessed’ for another chance after traffic stop

CLEVELAND (AP) » Kareem Hunt knows he’s run out of second chances.

“I’ve got to do better,” he said.

Scared he jeopardized his NFL career when police found a small amount of marijuana in the Browns running back’s car during a traffic stop, Hunt, who served an eight-game league suspension last season for two physical altercations while with Kansas City, said Monday that he’s grateful the Browns have stood by him.

“I’m blessed that the Browns gave me another opportunity,” Hunt said on a Zoom conference call. “So, yes, I’m lucky to have another opportunity to play football. You never know. Honestly, I’m just blessed to play the game, so I’ll always feel lucky to play football.

“I know any second it can be gone.”

When he was pulled over in January, Hunt told a Rocky River Police officer that the incident could ruin him if it became public. During a search, police also found an open container of vodka in a backpack on the back seat.

Hunt was only cited for speeding, but he admitted to the officer he would have failed a league drug test at the time.

Days later, Hunt received a strong reprimand from Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, who said the actions “were not acceptable.” The team also pledged to keep working with the 24-year- old, who had been disciplined by Commissioner Roger Goodell for shoving and kicking a woman during an argument in a hotel hallway while he played for the Chiefs.

The Browns signed the Cleveland-area native before last season and Hunt stayed clear of trouble while also undergoing counseling.

He said the misstep this off-season was inexcusable.

“I would say that was out of character,” he said. “I learned from it, I’ve been working to become a better person each and every day. Definitely not looking for anything like that to happen again. I’ve been working. Now I’m just focused on football, working out and getting ready for this season.

“I’ve got to do better. Shouldn’t have done it. Ready to move on from that and focus on football.”

The Browns are counting on it.

They see Hunt as a valuable and versatile piece to their offense. Hunt has been “cross-training” during the club’s virtual off- season program, attending meetings with both the running backs and wide receivers as he learns new coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense.

But his top priority is acting more professionally off the field, and Hunt said Stefanski and Andrew Berry, the club’s executive vice president of football operations, have made it clear to him that they won’t tolerate bad behavior.