Baker Mayfield leaves Senior Bowl to be with ill mother

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield left the Senior Bowl early in order to be with his mother who is facing an unknown illness.

One of the biggest names in attendance at the Senior Bowl this week was Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is projected as a first round pick in April’s NFL Draft but still had some questions to answer and scouts wanted to see how he’d fare against the top seniors across the country in the week of practice and the game on Saturday.

Unfortuantely, scouts didn’t get as long of a look at Mayfield during the game, because Mayfield had to leave at halftime in order to be with his mother who is fighting an unknown illness, according to The Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly.

Mayfield was 3-of-7 passing for nine yards before leaving to be with his family.

And let this be clear, Mayfield made the absolute correct decision to be with his mom. Anyone who questions Mayfield’s commitment to football or his work ethic is completely wrong, not too mention unreasonable and guilty of not having a heard or a brain. Anyone criticizing Mayfield for being with his sick mother instead of competing in an exhibition game that is entirely meaningless in the grand scheme of things for Mayfield needs to get their head checked.

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The most important thing is the health and well-being of Mayfield’s mother and having her son around her as she braves this illness is the story here. Mayfield arrived late this week to the Senior Bowl because of his mother’s health, so he made the effort to make sure he could be in both places at the same time. He got his practice in and he got some game reps in but family comes first, always.