Written by Dennis Dodd at CBSSports.com
After the worst moment of his college career, Baker Mayfield didn’t have to be coached up.
Oklahoma’s quarterback knew what to do. Three days after being arrested last month for public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fleeing the scene and resisting arrest, Mayfield posted a long heart-felt apology on Twitter.
pic.twitter.com/KHrRns4KoU
— Baker Mayfield (@baker_mayfield6) February 28, 2017
“It was,” Mayfield said of his conduct, “instant regret.”
He proved it on Tuesday when the Heisman Trophy finalist met with reporters for the first time since his arrest. The setting was the first day of spring practice when renewal and football are already in the air.
Mayfield’s total and complete remorse should be a blueprint for all past and future knuckleheads in the college space: This is what contrition looks like without the lawyers and handlers and hiding and dodging.
To sum up, Mayfield owned it Tuesday. By doing so, he poured water on what could have become a raging fire. There were no half measures or ducking behind FERPA.
The kid already knew any privacy he might have enjoyed in the matter was lost when the Fayetteville, Arkansas, cops released video of his arrest .
Given his football elusiveness, it may have been the hardest Mayfield has been hit. And yes, he’s heard all the jokes.
“I saw Barry Switzer’s tweet; It was pretty funny, I’ll be honest,” Mayfield said.
They couldn’t have caught my quarterbacks!!😂 https://t.co/bZtWJe3djo
— Barry Switzer (@Barry_Switzer) February 26, 2017
In that moment, a scrambling quarterback proved he was also a stand-up guy.
“I did it to myself,” he said.
It was show over, nothing to see here. We can move on to talking about Heismans and championships. Mayfield has his mind right, meaning the Sooners are the team we thought they were.
Mostly, Mayfield is the man we hoped he was.
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