CLEVELAND — Davone Bess had a disappointing first season with the Browns. His offseason was far more
disturbing.
The team released the troubled wide receiver Wednesday, ending his stay in Cleveland after less than one
year and following a pattern of bizarre behavior that included his arrest for assaulting a law
enforcement officer.
Bess, who was acquired last April from Miami, never lived up to on-field expectations and his personal
problems gave the Browns no alternative but to end their relationship.
The team announced his release with one line on the team’s Twitter account.
The 28-year-old Bess is still owed $3.06 million for 2014, but the Browns may try to recoup some of that
money. A team spokesman would not say if Bess had broken any agreements on his contract.
The Browns traded for Bess during the draft last year, and the team immediately signed the sure-handed
veteran to a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension that included $5.75 million guaranteed. The
Browns believed Bess would fill a hole at slot receiver and bring leadership to their young wideouts,
including Josh Gordon, Greg Little and Travis Benjamin.
However, Bess didn’t deliver at all and his personal problems escalated in recent months.
Bess finished with career-lows in catches (42) and yards (362) last season, and he had several crucial
drops that hurt the Browns. Bess, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the Dolphins, also muffed a
punt in Kansas City, costing the Browns a chance to upset the then-unbeaten Chiefs. He never ducked any
criticism for the poor performance, owned up to his mistakes and bounced back with two touchdown catches
the following week in a win over Baltimore.
However, he missed Cleveland’s final two games for personal reasons and after the season ended, other
issues surfaced.
One day after Bess left the team, a photo posted on his Instagram account showed him sitting on a deck
next to a picture of reggae icon Bob Marley and lighting a cigarette or joint with a Rastafarian flag
draped around his shoulders and neck. The following day, the Browns placed him on the
reserve/non-football illness list and former coach Rob Chudzinski explained Bess was dealing with a
family issue.
On Jan. 16, Bess posted a photo on his Twitter page of a small package containing what appeared to be
marijuana. The photo was later deleted, but it raised further questions about his judgment.
Those concerns grew the following day when Bess was charged with assault on an officer, resisting arrest
without violence and disorderly conduct following a confrontation at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood
International Airport.
According to the police report, Bess was “acting irrationally, dancing, singing with his pants repeatedly
falling down.” Bess also reportedly took up a “fighting stance” with the officer, who hit Bess on the
leg with a baton to no effect.
It was later learned that Bess had a run-in with police shortly before he was traded to Cleveland and his
family had him hospitalized against his will.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said he did not know about Bess’ hospitalization before the team traded for
him. The team initially vowed to support Bess, who may still face NFL discipline for his legal misstep.
It’s not yet clear if he plans to continue his football career.
The team also released wide receiver Brian Tyms and linebacker Paul Hazel.