Kareem Hunt tells police he would’ve failed a drug test; says it ‘hurts my soul’ he’s not in Super Bowl: Dashcam video

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns running back Kareem Hunt admitted to Rocky River police that he would’ve failed a drug test if it were administered after his stop for speeding on Tuesday afternoon, according to the dashcam video obtained by cleveland.com.

Patrolman Michael Asbury also warned Hunt to be careful "driving around with [marijuana] and “smelling like booze” -- but opted not to breathalyze him because he didn’t seem impaired.

A distraught Hunt also said “it hurts my soul’’ that he’s not playing with the Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

“Man, I’ve been through a lot,’’ Hunt told Asbury while sitting in the back of the cruiser on Interstate 90 near the westbound Hilliard Road exit in Rocky River. “Officer, I’ve been through a lot.”

Asbury, who described himself as “one of the hugest’’ Browns fans, said “I know you have, trust me.’’

“Through the trenches, man,’’ said Hunt, who was emotional throughout the 46-minute stop. "I’m just trying to be in my hometown and chill.''

Suspended the first eight games of the season for two physical altercations including one involving a woman, Hunt was cited for speeding — going 77 mph in a 60 — but not for marijuana possession or open container, according to the police report. Asbury found small amounts of marijuana in three locations in the car, including in a backpack on the backseat with Hunt’s name on it.

Asbury, who seized the marijuana, also found a bottle of vodka in the backpack with the seal broken. He told Hunt he could tell he wasn’t impaired because his eyes and speech were normal, but that he still smelled like alcohol, presumably from the night before.

Hunt also said at first said the backpack was his brother’s, but later said the weed was "not all mine.'’ He also admitted he would’ve failed a drug test if Asbury had called for one.

“I’ve never failed any of my drug tests in the NFL,’’ Hunt explained. “We’re tested once a year and then I stop...”

“But if I were to call down there now and they were to test you, you’re probably going to fail, right?’’ Asbury said.

“Yes sir,’’ said Hunt, 24. “It’s the offseason. Sorry, I was having a good time.’’

When the officer raised the possibility that the prosecutor could still charge him for possession once they test the weed, Hunt sighed and said, "Then it’s all over.''

The Browns had no further comment from what they said last week, that they’re aware of the incident and gathering more information. The NFL also said Friday it was aware and declined further comment.

Hunt explained that he’s struggling with not being with his former Chiefs teammates in the Super Bowl Sunday in Miami against the 49ers.

The Chiefs cut Hunt in November of 2018, a day after video surfaced of him kicking and shoving a woman in the hallway of his downtown Cleveland apartment building. In addition to the egregious act, he had lied to them about the incident. Former Browns GM John Dorsey, who drafted Hunt in Kansas City, signed him in February to a one-year contract worth up to $1.175 million and vowed he’d have “a zero-tolerance’’ policy for wrongdoing.

“You know what happened to me,’’ Hunt said. “I should be playing for a freakin’ Super Bowl. It hurts my soul. I’ve been fighting a lot of sh—t lately, man. It still hurts me to this day. I love Cleveland. I love the Browns, but you don’t understand. ..."

When Asbury warned him the stop could go public, Hunt says, "I’ve got to prepare myself. My name’s been tarnished. I’m the worst person in the world sometimes and I don’t even do nothing. I try to help everybody, man.''

Rocky River Police Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant George Lichman told cleveland.com last week that Hunt was not charged with possession because he had less than a gram of marijuana. He said he doubted Hunt would be charged by the prosecutor because of new laws in Ohio, which require the marijuana to be sent away for testing to determine the amount of THC, the illegal ingredient in weed.

Asbury repeatedly told Hunt that he would only write him the speeding ticket if he found nothing in the car, which smelled of weed when he approached it.

“Just give me a traffic ticket please, yes sir,’’ Hunt said before the search. “It stresses me out. There’s nothing else. I lost everything already, sir.’’

Asbury seemed compassionate.

“Dude, I am honestly one of the hugest Browns fans ever,’’ he said. “Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and it’s frustrating to watch the Browns every single year.”

Hunt, again almost sounding like he was in tears, said, “I tried to turn around…me too, I’ve been with you my whole life.’’

“This is not the way to do it,’’ Asbury. "Why would you ever risk taking that chance?''

He also compared Hunt’s situation to that of former Ravens running back Ray Rice, who never got back in the NFL after video showed him assaulting his wife.

“I’m shocked that you got a second chance,'' Asbury said. "I would hope that would be enough to keep you clean. This is not the way to go.''

“It’s not,’’ Hunt said. "I hate making mistakes.''

“You had a good second part of the year,’’ Asbury said. “You don’t want to screw that up over some weed…I’m going to write you a traffic ticket and then I’m going to seize this stuff, okay? Fair enough? I’m not going to write you a weed ticket either.’’

“Thank you,’’ he said. “I appreciate everything….I will never do this again.’’

At first, Hunt said he was speeding because “I’ve just really got a flight to catch.’’

The Browns must now decide if they want to stand by Hunt, a Cleveland native, or part ways with him. It’s one of the first big decisions new coach Kevin Stefanski and new general manager Andrew Berry, who was hired on Monday, will have to make.

The NFL’s rushing leader as a rookie in 2017 with 1,327 yards, Hunt is due to become a restricted free agent in March, meaning the Browns will have the right to match any offer if they tender him.

The Browns have other options, including signing him to a multiyear extension, trading him or releasing him.

When Dorsey first signed him, Hunt vowed not to let him down, and Dorsey and then-coach Freddie Kitchens attended Hunt’s baptism in May.

Hunt, who’s worked hard to stay out of trouble, told cleveland.com in December that he was grateful for the second chance and was determined not to mess up again.

Returning for the final eight games of the season, Hunt caught 37 passes for 285 yards and rushed 43 times for 179 yards and two TDs. He mostly stayed out of trouble except for one minor brush with the law downtown in July where he and a close friend exchanged punches outside a bar. He was questioned by police but not charged, and no report was filed.

Before the speeding incident, Stefanski said he was excited about Hunt. He raved about the tandem of Hunt and Nick Chubb, the league’s No. 2 rusher this season with 1,494 yards.

“Those two guys are jumping off the tape,” Stefanski told ESPN 850′s Really Big Show last week. "I could not be more impressed by those two.

“Nick Chubb, man, wow the tape is so impressive. I can’t wait to meet Nick Chubb the person because everyone is raving about him. … (Hunt) is such a talented player. He’s from Ohio, so I know I’m going to get a chance to visit with him at some point.”

Evan MacDonald contributed to this report

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