Browns' Baker Mayfield dimisses death threats

The Browns' QB has received a fair share of critique this season. From viral video accusations by OBJ's father, to fan's insults, but perhaps now a line has been crossed.

Browns' Baker Mayfield dismisses death threats

While death threats are nothing to be taken lightly, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield isn't concerned though he and his wife have received many of them. On Thursday, Mayfield spoke about death threats that were sent to him and his wife on social media. Referring to them as "not that serious" and "not anything new for us," the quarterback maintained his indifference.

What exactly happened with Baker Mayfield?

It was after last Saturday's game against the Green Bay Packers during which Mayfield threw four interceptions - eventually losing to the Packers - that the threats started to pour in. In the eyes of fans, it was Mayfield who dented the Browns' hopes of a playoff spot. The quarterback's wife Emily later took to Instagram where she explained that she and her husband had been receiving death threats. "It's crazy how much negativity is amplified via social media," Emily Mayfield wrote in an Instagram story. "I'm still a believer that there's more good people out there than bad, but WOW does social media make me think otherwise sometimes. Which plays into why I love to spread positivity. Our world needs more of it. The death threats, lies being told about my husband, and blatant DISRESPECT never ceases to amaze me. For the record - I pray for those of you who even think those thoughts, let alone type them out. I hope you can find some happiness so you stop trying to steal it from others."

Baker Mayfield speaks on his wife's Instagram posts

On Thursday when asked about the situation and his wife's subsequent posts, Baker Mayfield was sincere about the effect it had on him and his family. "It's hard for me to say not to listen to it because I have quite a bit of experience of hearing a lot of opinions on the outside coming in. It's hard when it comes down to somebody that you love and you care about," Mayfield said. "She's not able to change any of the outcomes to the game at all. It's just one of those things that we are just in a world today and society that there are a lot of keyboard warriors who make empty threats and things like that, which it is quite honestly ignorant when they go after people who are not directly involved in football." Mayfield went on to add, "When you talk about taking your own life, killing somebody or all of that, that to me is ignorance, but I try not to listen to it because those are not the people who I would listen to whether it was good or bad regardless."

The effect on family worries Baker Mayfield

As he disclosed further details about the toll that threats have taken on his family, Mayfield said that the situation helps him keep his priorities in the proper context. "It's tough to tell your loved ones and your family not to defend you and look into that stuff. That's just human nature," he said. "You have to take it one day at a time and realize that your priorities, your family members and the people who truly matter to you, those are the opinions you need to listen to. It's one of those things that it has blown up to be a much bigger deal on the outside."