FOXBORO, Mass. — Javon Baker has broken his silence.
The rookie receiver landed in hot water last weekend after using Instagram Live to harshly criticize a Massachusetts police officer for issuing him a traffic ticket. The expletive-laden rant went viral and resulted in a non-suspension punishment, the details of which remain unclear.
Jerod Mayo spoke about Baker’s actions on Monday while reinforcing the New England Patriots‘ relationship with law enforcement. However, Baker hadn’t publicly commented on the issue until speaking with Pro Football Network on Thursday.
What Did Javon Baker Do?
On Sunday, Baker claimed an officer issued him a ticket for “no reason” after he dropped someone off at an airport. The fourth-round rookie said the officer threatened to tow his car during a heated exchange.
“You ain’t gonna start yelling at me and thinking I’m not fitting to yell back,” Baker said in the video. “Who does you think you is? Just because you a police officer, that don’t mean nothing, bro. With my tax dollars, I pay you. Come on, bro, you work for me.”
You can watch the full video in the X post below. Warning: It contains NSFW language.
Javon baker just got a ticket pic.twitter.com/2i7XFTjiWl
— Bryson (@OwnedByBryson) September 1, 2024
“(Baker’s video) in no way represents what the organization is about, in no way represents what we are about as a team, or how Javon needs to go out there and represent himself,” Mayo said on Monday. “We’ve handled it internally. We had a great conversation.
“I think it’s a combination of immaturity and realizing the grand scheme, that we’re on a big stage here, and you can’t do those things. As far as our relationship with law enforcement, I think it’s outstanding. We’ll continue to strengthen that relationship going forward.”
Baker Opens Up on the Video and the Fallout
PFN caught up with Baker inside the Patriots locker room shortly before Thursday’s practice.
When asked to provide a statement on the controversy, Baker claimed he’d already handled everything behind the scenes and that Mayo could better answer further questions.
“Anybody that I needed to apologize to, or anything I needed to do, I already did,” Baker told PFN. “At the end of the day, it’s a Coach Jerod question.”
Only Baker and the officer involved know the full details of what happened at the airport. It’s possible Baker had a legitimate gripe and that his biggest error was publicly venting about it without being cognizant of the realities of life as a professional football player.
Regardless, Baker doesn’t regret what he said in the video.
“I don’t know, honestly,” Baker said. “I guess more eyeballs are on me because I’m in the NFL. But if I regret anything I said, I wouldn’t have ever said it. So, I don’t regret nothing.
“At the end of the day, it’s a Coach Mayo question.”
Whether Baker has learned from the incident remains to be seen. He and the Patriots also have bigger concerns: Preparing for Sunday’s road game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
How Baker Feels Ahead of Potential NFL Debut
At times this offseason, Baker justified the brash confidence he showed after being drafted by the Patriots. His big-play ability was evident during early spring practices, and he was equally impressive early in training camp.
But the second half of Baker’s rookie camp was marred by drops and a slide down the depth chart. As a result, it’s as easy to envision Baker being inactive on Sunday as it is him delivering multiple splash plays. He’s a true wild card.
Baker is eager for his NFL debut but wants to keep things in perspective.
“Very excited,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I’ve been playing the game since I was little. So, football’s gonna be football.”
If Baker plays on Sunday, he’ll be debuting against one of the NFL’s best teams. But all that matters is somehow leaving Cincinnati with a victory.
“Just excited for my first game,” he said. “Doesn’t matter who we’re playing. We’ve all got one goal … to win.”
Does Baker expect to be nervous?
“No nerves or nothing like that,” he said. “I’m never a nervous type of person anyway. You could say jitters or something like that, but that’s really it.”
The Patriots and Bengals will kick off from Paycor Stadium at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. We’ll learn Baker’s Week 1 status roughly 90 minutes before kickoff.