Cleveland Browns GM Ray Farmer Suspended Over “Text-Gate”
The Cleveland Browns General Manager Ray Farmer has been suspended for the first four games of the 2015 NFL season after an NFL investigation found that Farmer sent text messages down to the sidelines mid-game throughout the 2014 season. The team is not expected to lose a draft pick as punishment for Farmer’s actions, but will face a substantial fine.
So Browns GM Ray Farmer suspended four games and team fined $250,000 for Text-Gate.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 30, 2015
Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam was cleared of any having any knowledge of Farmer’s actions.
NFL: There was no evidence in the NFL’s review that Browns ownership or any other team executives had knowledge of the prohibited conduct.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 30, 2015
NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent released a statement Monday morning outlining the parameters of the suspension: “(Farmer’s) suspension will start on midnight of the Sunday preceding the Browns’ first regular-season game and will end immediately after the Browns’ fourth regular-season game. During the period of the suspension, Farmer cannot be involved in any club matters and is prohibited from being at the Browns’ offices, practice facility, or at Browns games.”
The NFL began its investigation after allegations arose accusing Farmer of texting assistant coaches and team representatives during the game, supposedly regarding personnel and in-game strategy. The use of communicating to the sidelines through non-approved electronic devices is a violation of the leagues game day policies.
Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam stood by his GM, but still accepts the consequences of Farmer’s actions: “Even though it’s not a positive, it’s not something I’m proud of, it’s not a badge or something I’m wearing, but I’m definitely trying to take the positive out of it,” Farmer said last week. “What did I learn? How am I better? And then how does this help me moving forward?”
Farmer’s suspension will be without pay over the four-week period.