BEREA, Ohio — The explanation didn't make any sense at the time. Days later, Baker Mayfield remains baffled.
After the Browns rookie quarterback was blasted in the helmet on Sunday by Tampa Bay safety Jordan Whitehead, who lowered his head to deliver the blow on Mayfield, referee Shawn Hochuli added a layer of confusion to a controversial play with his reason for not calling a penalty.
"The quarterback is still a runner and therefore is allowed to be hit in the head," Hochuli announced. "He had not yet begun his slide. There is therefore no foul."
Mayfield can't grasp that explanation.