Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield has explained why he recently headbutted helmet-wearing teammates while his head was unprotected.
BIG @Panthers MOOD @bakermayfield pic.twitter.com/CyKcRCSsaI
— NFL On Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) November 11, 2022
"I've always done that," Mayfield said on Wednesday, as shared by Andrew McCarty of The Spun. "It just so happened to be caught on camera. I love this game. I love my teammates. We work too hard not to enjoy it. A good headbutt every once in a while goes a long way."
Per Nick Carboni of Charlotte's WCNC, Mayfield indicated he won't stop the practice anytime soon:
Baker Mayfield on headbutting linemen: “I don’t know what says about me, but I enjoy it. If they don’t like it they’re still gonna get it.”
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) November 16, 2022
Says he’s been doing it for a long time but cameras happened to catch his last Thursday night. #panthers
Mayfield's latest viral moment occurred as he greeted teammates shortly after he served as the backup quarterback for Carolina's 25-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday that improved the Panthers to 3-7 on the season. The 27-year-old, who began the campaign as the team's QB1, ultimately lost that gig to injury and to P.J. Walker but is on track to start this Sunday's matchup at the 6-3 Baltimore Ravens with Walker sidelined because of a high ankle sprain.
Mayfield let it be known he's hyped to be back atop the depth chart if only for a single game:
#Panthers QB Baker Mayfield on returning to starting lineup vs. #Ravens: “I’m excited to get back out there with the guys and try to stack these wins and see how it goes.” pic.twitter.com/73etAetnHT
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) November 16, 2022
According to ESPN stats, Mayfield will enter Week 11 31st among eligible quarterbacks with a 78.1 passer rating and last with a 17.6 total QBR and a 56.6% completion percentage this season. In six games, he's thrown for 1,117 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions.
One wonders what "Thursday Night Football" broadcaster Al Michaels will think if Mayfield again headbutts teammates without wearing a helmet in Baltimore.
"Good way to wind up in concussion protocol even though you don't get in the game," Michaels said about Mayfield's actions last Thursday, per Joe Rivera of The Sporting News.
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