CLEVELAND — Former Browns safety Jermaine Whitehead issued an apology on Instagram Tuesday morning following his social media outburst in which he threatened a radio host and a Browns fan following the team's loss to the Broncos. After the incident, the Browns announced on Monday that they were cutting Whitehead from the team.
Whitehead struggled on the field, missing multiple tackles throughout Sunday's game. A few moments after the team left the field, the Twitter account @j2whitehead_ began responding to tweets about his play. Some of the responses contained explicit language and racial slurs.
On Instagram he apologized for his actions, saying "that was totally out of character for me."
Whitehead said "his choice of words did not reflect who I am."
"Again I am deeply sorry for my unacceptable behavior, and I wish the Browns the best of luck in the future," Whitehead said in a post.
The Browns issued the following statement on Sunday night regarding the incident:
Jermaine Whitehead’s social media posts following today’s game were totally unacceptable and highly inappropriate. We immediately spoke with Jermaine upon learning of these comments. The Browns in no way condone that type of language or behavior. This matter will be further addressed internally.
During his news conference Monday, Browns coach Freddie Kitchens reiterated the team’s postgame statement that called Whitehead’s posts “totally unacceptable and highly inappropriate.”
Whitehead started the Browns’ first eight games, and he entered Sunday’s game leading the team’s secondary in tackles. The Browns signed him one year ago after he was released by Green Bay. The Packers cut him for punching a New England lineman in a game.
Browns safety Morgan Burnett was also Whitehead’s teammate with Green Bay. He voiced concern for his well-being.
“I just feel like it was a situation where his emotions got the best of him,” Burnett said, standing a few feet from Whitehead’s cleaned-out locker. “We’re going to miss him but I think for me personally because I played with him in Green Bay, I take it past football and it’s just something where I just want to pray for him. Wish him the best and get the help that he needs and pray that he gets back on his feet.
“But as a team, just outside of football, just as a bond of brothers, we’re going to miss him.”
RELATED: Browns cut Jermaine Whitehead following social media meltdown
