Emily Mayfield has been vocal on social media these past few weeks.
As the wife of Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, she’s often raced to his defense when fans aim their frustrations toward him.
However, her comments following the Christmas Day loss to Green Bay held a bit more weight.
She posted the following on her Instagram story, mentioning that Baker has been receiving death threats.
Whatever your opinion on #6 as a 🏈 player, if you’re sending him and his wife death threats, you are absolute gutter-spawn, the lowest of the low. You are the true down-and-outs of society if you think this is acceptable in any way. @bakermayfield @emilywmayfield6 #Browns pic.twitter.com/CUJzcTF1lo
— Joe Stack – (58-36 ⚾️) (@joeyy_stack1727) December 29, 2021
Obviously, professional athletes are prone to criticism from fans and media.
Death threats, however, sit beyond a line that should never be crossed.
Of course, many took notice of Emily’s comments.
This warranted quite a reaction around the football world.
Crossing the Line
It’s a bit of a cliché to say fans are crossing a line, but it’s also true.
As mentioned, professional athletes receive criticism all the time.
That’s part of any job, not just one of an NFL player.
Whether it’s a “nine to five” position or a trade that keeps one up at unorthodox hours, critique is part of the gig.
It’s often what makes us better.
That doesn’t mean bosses, co-workers, and/or customers are allowed to threaten the life of your family.
That would certainly warrant HR involvement and perhaps legal action as well.
NFL players take those kind of threats the same way as anyone else.
Some fans, such as this one, have vocalized that there is simply no place for those kind of threats toward anyone.
@emilywmayfield6 … just saw y’all are receiving death threats … wtf?!?! Not everyone out there is bad… you guys know that. Even if fans ever turn on #6 (which is a joke in itself), no need for that! Thanks for all you guys do for the city and the fans!! God Bless!!
— Mathew (@YARMathew) December 29, 2021
As this tweet mentions, it’s often best to simply ignore social media comments altogether.
However, when threats toward your life get made and noticed, it can be difficult to just shrug those off.
It’s social media. Who cares. Why waste 1 minute on them.
— brian welch (@raiders91sc) December 29, 2021
Vocal Minority
Fans that have come to defend the Mayfield’s have noted that these threats are coming from a small percentage of Cleveland fans.
@emilywmayfield6 don’t worry, it’s the 5%. Just like most cases, ie politics, the 5% are always loud. Don’t worry about it, cleveland has your back!
— Cleveland Vs. World (@ClevsWorld) December 29, 2021
While that’s very likely the truth, again, it can be difficult to turn the other way.
Especially when those comments get mixed with videos like this of Baker’s jersey being burned.
https://twitter.com/cooljay__2/status/1474922019796164609
Some Don’t Believe It
There are some who don’t believe Emily when she says her husband has been receiving death threats.
Again, it’s not many people, but the comments are still being made.
I'm calling bullshit on the Mayfield death threats.
Someone may have, but instead of reporting it to authorities & keeping it quiet, Emily Mayfield runs to social media. I think they see the worm is turning & fans are waking to Baker & they're out getting sympathy votes.— Tom A (@1buckeyetom) December 29, 2021
I’d like to believe that Emily would not lie about death threats just for attention on social media.
Others are clearly not willing to give her the benefit of the doubt here.
Being Better
If the death threats are true, they are certainly something that cannot continue to happen.
Not to get on a soapbox here, but the world has been pretty ugly of late generally speaking.
Just being a better individual, and not threatening the lives of others, is something most can get behind.
We love you @emilywmayfield6 @bakermayfield
Browns Twitter….. pic.twitter.com/eKBpLI1qvL
— Terrie Perdue (@TerriePerdue) December 29, 2021
Moving Forward
It will be interesting to see what happens with the Mayfield family as the season comes to a close.
More mediocre play will certainly lead to more negative criticism.
However, a pair of brilliant performances for Baker could quiet folks heading into the offseason (or playoffs).
As is often mentioned, family members of professional athletes may be better off just avoiding social media altogether.
While Twitter and other mediums are fun, they can also lead to the type of comments that Emily Mayfield mentioned.
Unfortunately, bringing it to light sometimes leads to more of those comments from attention-seekers.
NEXT: Nick Chubb Comments On Browns' Offensive Struggles
