Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is the favorite to win the Heisman trophy.
He’s having a brilliant senior season on top of a great career.
But Saturday he did something appalling that could sink his campaign and his draft status.
During a blowout of the lowly Kansas Jayhawks, Mayfield made lewd gestures toward his opponents and their fans.
From Breitbart:
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield was expected to go to Kansas and get a win on Saturday. It’s what the Heisman favorite did on the sideline, that was unexpected.
On Saturday afternoon, in an exceptionally chippy game with the Kansas Jayhawks, Mayfield shouted “F*** you” at the Kansas sideline, and did this:
Sports Illustrated on Twitter
Baker Mayfield didn’t feel like taking the high road today https://t.co/30Q5UFk264
Mayfield’s actions will definitely raise red flags with NFL scouts who will have concerns about his decision making and ability to control his emotions.
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Mayfield issued an apology on Twitter after the game:
“I am extremely sorry for how I carried myself today. I am sorry to the Kansas fans, coaches and players for disrespecting them. I am sorry to Sooner fans for not representing our University the way I should. I am sorry to any parent that had their kid(s) watching… I was not the good and inspiring role model that I aspire to be.
What I did was unacceptable and in turn it has taken the attention off of our team. Not to mention my solo act reflects poorly on my team/program… Which is the opposite of what I want to do. I want my teammates and coaches to get all the attention and credit for working hard and having success. I am sorry to my brothers and coaches as well. I am an extremely competitive player once on the field, but that does not excuse and never will excuse my actions today. I am truly sorry from the bottom of my heart.”
Apparently Mayfield’s apology wasn’t sufficient, because his head coach is not allowing him to start in the regular season finale.
From Sports Illustrated:
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield won’t start Saturday’s home game against West Virginia, head coach Lincoln Riley said.
Riley added that Mayfield won’t be a captain but will see playing time against the Mountaineers. Backup Kyler Murray is expected to start the game.
The Sooners have already clinched a berth in the Big 12 title game and are ranked No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff Top 25.
Mayfield’s actions during Oklahoma’s 41–3 victory over Kansas drew the ire of many people, including Riley, who said his behavior was “unacceptable.”
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Mayfield, who was arrested this offseason after a run-in with Fayetteville, Arkansas police and charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and fleeing, also apologized for planting a flag at midfield at Ohio Stadium after the Sooners’ 31–16 victory over Ohio State in September.
The two-time Heisman finalist is the odds–on favorite to win the trophy this season.
Mayfield is completing 71% percent of his passes for 3,816 yards for 34 touchdowns and five interceptions this season for Oklahoma, who lead the nation in total offense.
Mayfield wouldn’t be the first candidate to lose the Heisman because of antics.
Florida State Wide Receiver Peter Warrick was seen to be the frontrunner for the award in 1999, but an arrest for shoplifting and a subsequent two-game suspension torpedoed his campaign.
Warrick wasn’t even invited to New York as a finalist, and finished sixth in the voting.
West Virginia is not a pushover opponent. If Mayfield not starting costs the Sooners the game, Oklahoma’s season as well as Mayfield’s bid for the Heisman could go down in flames.