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Cleveland Browns: The K’Waun Williams saga continues

By Joel W. Cade

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Cleveland Browns cornerback K’Waun Williams’ suspension took a new twist as his agent claims the team is not concerned about the health of its players.

The Cleveland Browns telenovela staring K’Waun Williams took another plot twist on Wednesday after his agent announced that, after seeking a second opinion, Williams needs surgery to address bone spurs in his ankle.

As a result, he will appeal the two-week suspension and fine which his agent considers “unwarranted” and “excessive.”

Seizing the opportunity for a public relations battle, Williams’ agent, Evan Krakower, issued a statement, which can be read in full here, to spin the entire issue into one that focuses on player safety:

"“The NFL has stated that player safety is paramount. We believe in this incident the Brown’s (sic) intimate knowledge of Mr. Williams’ physical ailments, when weighed against their plans to use him in the first preseason game of the season, contradicts that policy."

"“We regret the unfortunate situation that led to the Browns suspension of K’Waun, and we firmly believe that this incident resulted from a lack of communication and understanding of all parties involved. When emotions are involved in discussions, and unreasonable solutions are given, without time for reflection, knee jerk reactions can be expected.”"

Everyone supports player safety, right?

In an attempt to sway public opinion in favor of his client, Krakower stated that Williams refused to play against Green Bay because his ankle was injured. As the line goes, the big, mean (and incompetent?) Browns staff was trying to force Williams to play while injured.

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In an act of self-preservation, Krakower implies that the victim of these tragic circumstances – Williams – left the team to seek a second opinion. At that time, according to the Williams camp, he informed the Browns he was not playing because of his injured ankle. He has since stayed away from the team and facilities while seeking a second opinion.

According to cleveland.com, Williams saw an independent specialist at the Cleveland Clinic on  Wednesday and was informed that he needs surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle. Adding another layer of intrigue, Williams chose the Cleveland Clinic over University Hospitals, which took over as the official health care partner for the Browns in 2014. The team had previously partnered with the Cleveland Clinic for 40 years.

Krakower told cleveland.com that the surgery is needed “in order for (Williams)  to perform as a professional athlete” and to his “maximum ability.”

Players have injuries all the time that impact their ability to play at their “maximum.” The question, however, is not about his maximum ability but about his availability.

Was Williams available to play at Green Bay, even if it was not at his maximum level? Did he violate team rules by leaving and staying away from the team and facilities?

Williams reportedly informed the Browns that he was retiring following the game against the Packers. The next day, Williams rescinded his retirement, claiming he did not play due to an ankle injury. Williams then reportedly flew back to Cleveland after the Green Bay game and has not returned to the Browns since.

The Browns suspended and fined Williams due to “multiple team violations”. These reasons are so vague that he could have been disciplined for anything. However, such a statement is consistent with corporate operations.

With tensions high between the NFL Players Association and the Commissioner’s office right now over abuse of power, is it any wonder Krakower wants to paint the Browns as abusing the power they hold over players and neglecting player safety?

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But don’t the Browns also have a right to suspend and fine players who violate team rules and policies?

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.

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