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Angry remarks to cost tight end $235,000 unless he seeks appeal
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008
Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow drew a one-game suspension for his angry comments concerning his treatment by Browns General Manager Phil Savage following Sunday's 14-11 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Starting today, Winslow will not be able to practice or attend meetings. After missing Sunday's game at the Jacksonville Jaguars, he can return to the team Monday.
Unless he appeals, the suspension will cost Winslow one game check, which amounts to $235,294, 1/17th of his $4 million base salary.
The Browns announced the decision in a statement from Savage on Tuesday. Winslow is the first Browns player suspended since Savage and coach Romeo Crennel took over in 2005.
''Kellen has expressed his desire to be a productive member of the Cleveland Browns,'' Savage said in the statement. ''His comments and behavior on Sunday evening, however, were unwarranted, inappropriate and unnecessarily disparaging to our organization. His statements brought unjustified negative attention to our organization, and violated the team-first concept of our football squad. Therefore, disciplinary action will be taken in the form of a one-game suspension without pay for conduct detrimental to the club.''
Winslow revealed Sunday he was treated for the second staph infection of his four-year career while hospitalized earlier this month. He released a statement through his publicity firm, EAG Sports Management.
''I am disappointed that my organization felt the need to suspend me for speaking out regarding my medical situation with staph,'' Winslow said. ''I take responsibility for the fact that there might have been a more constructive way to release this, but when I tried to do so I was discouraged from making the issue public. Regardless of how this was released, the information would still remain the same. I contracted staph, again.
''I spoke out on this because I felt it was the right thing to do and that is why I was so passionate about it. This has nothing to do with football and this has nothing to with my current contract situation. This is a health concern.''
Winslow pledged his loyalty to the Browns, but remains concerned after at least seven cases of staph have been contracted in the past four years, including receiver Joe Jurevicius this year.
''Please understand I care deeply for my organization, my teammates, and the Browns fans,'' Winslow said. ''At no time was I ever trying to cause distress for the team or be a distraction, but the fact remains there is a health issue that needs to be addressed further.
''I remain loyal to the Browns organization, my teammates, the fans and the city of Cleveland. I remain a hard worker on and off the field in support of my teammates and our goal to have a winning season. I hope to be a Brown for a very long time. I know that the organization and I can move forward and focus on having a successful season, which I believe everybody agrees upon.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow drew a one-game suspension for his angry comments concerning his treatment by Browns General Manager Phil Savage following Sunday's 14-11 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 05:52 AM, 10/22/2008
These comments came straight from Drew Rosenhaus. He fed those words "Like a piece of meat" to Winslow while he was in the Clinic and Winslow ate them up, big time.
This is all a ploy to put pressure on Savage to get a new contract. But it backfired when everyone in the media realized Winslow was being very childish. "My teammates and my coaches check on me but the main man didn't". Why didn't you call out the water boys,the camera men or the ticket takers? My bet is they didn't call you either. Winslow is a punk.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 06:57 AM, 10/22/2008
This really shows how bad the Browns locker room has become and how divided the team really is. He speaks his mind about Savage, and gets supended? I think the Browns not only have failed on the field, but now off the field as well. It's a good thing I'm a NE Ohio STEELERS fan. GO STEELERS !!!
Naples, FL
Posted 07:29 AM, 10/22/2008
What does his complaints that Savage didn't contact him while he was in the hospital and his statements saying he thought about requesting a trade have to do with "health concerns"? Nothing. Rosenhaus needs to coach him a little better to get his story straight.
Hiram, GA
Posted 07:39 AM, 10/22/2008
Winslow is a selfesh punk. Most of us struggle with day to day bills and this jerk shoots off his big pie hole again and looses $235,000. Waaaaaaaah Waaaaaaaah. Hold him to his contract and let him wine on. SI had an article a while back that said within two years of leaving the NFL 78% of those players are either divorced, unemployed or broke. KW2 will be all three and looking to push a broom with his one good leg and shoulder at some high school!
Posted 07:56 AM, 10/22/2008
It amazes me that he believes Savage needs to check on him. The manager of most companies I have worked for have never called me when I was not feeling well. At Winslow to the list of DA and RAC that need to be traded or fired.
Posted 08:02 AM, 10/22/2008
Winslow blew the whistle on the Browns. Seven staph infections in one organization is seven too many. This can be life threatening. Ask Doug Dieken. I realize he spoke out against the organization, but the organization needs a wake up call anyway. RAC and Savage are amateurs in a pro sport. Time to clean house, starting at the top.
Posted 08:07 AM, 10/22/2008
Cleveland Clowns....
Posted 08:58 AM, 10/22/2008
Like father , like son. Winslow has a lot of nerve trashing the Browns. He should shut up and count his blessings, he still has a job as a football player on a NFL team. Perhaps Winslow should beat the rush and look for a job somewhere else.
Posted 09:17 AM, 10/22/2008
I agree with Winslow.
When he spoke about about Carthon...He was right and is this time as well...
1)There has been Case after Case of Staph infections in the Browns Clubhouse ....SOMETHING IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED....and isn't being fixed...
2) Winslow has an obligation to the Team...YES...But he also has an obligation to his teammates and to himself.
Winslow speaking out Demonstrates his leadership and unfortunately the lack of leadership from the rest of the players...
I have grown not to expect leadership from the Coaches.
Posted 09:20 AM, 10/22/2008
One more thing....The Team has been trying to hide this staph outbreak from the players and fans...THAT IS JUST PLAIN WRONG...
Posted 09:39 AM, 10/22/2008
Leadership?? His comments were that 'he gave alot to this organization'. He had ONE good year but 2 years he NEVER played (and the Browns did NOT make him give back his bonus eventhough he did not live up to his contract of 'dangerous activities') and this year he has been a total bust and a non factor in crunch time when the Browns NEED him to produce.
Posted 09:52 AM, 10/22/2008
Winslow being suspended is an absolute joke. I've lost a lot of respect for Phil Savage. The team did not want to disclose the fact that Winslow had another staph infection so they made up the story that it was a "personal issue." So that led to all kinds of nasty rumors about STDs and him cheating on his wife. Players and the media were making fun of him. I don't blame him one bit for being upset about it. Randy Lerner needs to step in and explain this situation. What a mess!
Posted 09:59 AM, 10/22/2008
EDDIE:
He could probably be more effective if the Browns did something about the Staph problem ...At to his injuries it is my impression that he has often played hurt or been rushed back into action
Injuries are part of the game...It means a few million for Lerner and a lifetime of Pain for Winslow ...His obligation is to do everything he can to be ready to play...
Bottom line it is hard to produce when lieing in the Hospital bed with ANOTHER Steph Infection...
Posted 10:00 AM, 10/22/2008
Scott....Well said...
akron, oh
Posted 11:28 AM, 10/22/2008
ya know i don't think it was done right. but something needs to be said \donea bout the staph and the common denomantor cleveland clinic. winslow may be a punk. but joey j is not, is his carrer over becasue of a minor surgery? lecharles bently was not his is over.
Posted 11:41 AM, 10/22/2008
If the Sports press refuses to tell us the truth...
If a mans reputation is being damaged.
If what he is saying is the absolute truth.
And if he waited for the team to come out with the truth which they should have done from the beginning especially if the problem is the Cleveland Clinic...we are talking Public health and not just the Players..
With all of that PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW WINSLOW COULD HAVE HANDLED THIS DIFFERENTLY...OR WHERE HE MISHANDLED IT.
Posted 12:08 PM, 10/22/2008
Roy,
THAT is the point. Winslow is ALWAYS getting hurt. And you can say he is hurt cause he plays hard, but Hines Ward plays TWICE as hard and never misses a game.
If he put together 2 or 3 seasons like the one he had last year, then I can see him wanting a new contract, but the bust is always on the sidelines so WHY should he be rewarded?? You didn't see him giving back all his salary when he UNDER-PERFORMED his first 2 years.
Posted 12:43 PM, 10/22/2008
OldManGrump
Why don't you go comment on some Steelers stories and be quiet for once. Your cheap shot hero Ward ended another player's season. I hope somebody blasts him real good this season.
Go to **** Steelers
Posted 12:48 PM, 10/22/2008
Roy, the team has been working on this staph infection issue. They didn't want it discussed, it disclosed to the media and I'm not totally agianst that. But that wasn't Winslows main point. It was "WAAHHHH, Savage didn't check on me. They treat me like a piece of meat." He wants a new contract, and won't be in the NFL very long.
His own stupidity doing stunts on a motorcycle caused that. Not the Browns and staph infections. They should have tore up his contract after that incident, but they gave him a second chance. He is not a team player or a team leader. He only cares about himself and how much money he can make. It amazes me that fans think this guy is team player.
Posted 12:52 PM, 10/22/2008
Roy,
The team has been working on this staph infection issue. They didn't want it discussed, or disclosed to the media and I'm not totally agianst that. But that wasn't Winslows main point. It was "WAAHHHH, Savage didn't check on me. They treat me like a piece of meat." He wants a new contract, and won't be in the NFL very long.
His own stupidity doing stunts on a motorcycle caused that. Not the Browns and staph infections. They should have tore up his contract after that incident, but they gave him a second chance. He is not a team player or a team leader. He only cares about himself and how much money he can make. It amazes me that fans think this guy is team player.
Posted 01:29 PM, 10/22/2008
Here's the thing about Winslow. He never should have opened his mouth about wanting to be traded. He never should have made those comments about Savage. He should have kept this thing "in house." Now, on the other hand, I don't think the Browns have dealt properly with the staph infections that seem to be afflicting some of the players. Health of the players should always be top priority. I agree with the suspension but this whole situation should have been managed a lot better.
Posted 01:36 PM, 10/22/2008
Eddie:
So we are to degrade Winslow because he gets hurt??
What kind of point is that...The guy is not slacker he plays hurt, Maybe it is this inept coaching staff that is partially responsible for him getting hurt...
Posted 01:42 PM, 10/22/2008
Steve:
How long are they going to keep working on the Staph problem without alerting the players and the Public? Why should Winslow have his reputation soiled by the teams disire to keep secrets? Why should he risk his marriage?
They do treat him like a piece of meat and that is also a problem...
There is a big difference between Whining and Speaking out...
Posted 01:51 PM, 10/22/2008
If I was Winslow I would want to be traded...
Look at poor Harrison stays in shape, Plays his heart out, Is a workout fiend, is never injured...and everytime he plays he is not just OK but outstanding....YET He keeps his mouth shout last year and only is activated for 6 games...Keeps his mouth shut this year and everytime he gets a chance to carry he gets jerked....
He led the team last year in yards per carry with 6.2 ...He leads the team this year in Yards per carry with 7.5 but he has only had 11 carries...for the season....
HARRISON KEEPS HIS MOUTH SHUT...WHAT GOOD HAS IT DONE HIM...AND ...HE WILL NO DOUBT LEAVE AT THE END OF THE YEAR BUT KEEPS HIS MOUTH SHUT ABOUT THAT ALSO ...
Harrison is a guy that can REALLY help a losing team...Yet sits with Brady....
I am so sick of this inept head coach I can't stand it. Heiden is another example...as is Cribbs guys that can help but most of the time SIT WITH THEIR MOUTH SHUT..
akron, oh
Posted 03:24 PM, 10/22/2008
Who can blame him for being mad. What they did was wrong. Tell him one thing and do another.
I hope he gets what he wants in the end.
Winslow has every right to tell it like it is. I am proud of him for telling the truth. At least someone their does.
Still a Browns fan, but after this not as much
Posted 03:37 PM, 10/22/2008
If Savage is so concerned about the Browns reputation why is Romeo Cranial still here. Now, that's an embarrasment !!
Columbia, SC
Posted 06:50 PM, 10/22/2008
Not telling the rest of the team the truth is an example of not caring about the team. Savage and Crennel should be suspended and docked for actions which are harmful to the Browns. I don't think I'm a crybaby but when I was hospitalized, I expected my immediate boss to call and see how I was doing. A good manager does that.Whenever I had a position of authority, I did exactly that. A selfish, uncaring, and ultimately an ineffective manager doesn't do the decent thing.
Posted 10:16 AM, 10/23/2008
Roy,
Not degrade him. My point is this guy is doing these 'stunts' cause he wants to get paid more. If he put tohether 2-3 years like last year (in other words be consistent in his play) then make him the highest paid TE. But if he is injured every year, then he is NOT worth the investment.
Plus, the NFL is a violent game and most EVERY player plays in pain and has health issues later in life. That is the nature of the business so Winslow and all players know that risk and accept if for the love of the game and\or the money.
