In a revelation that ignited a firestorm across NFL circles and particularly on Twitter, wide receiver Diontae Johnson, now with the Cleveland Browns, publicly admitted to refusing to play in a Baltimore Ravens game last season due to the 41-degree weather. His candid explanation on the “Sports & Suits” podcast sent shockwaves through a league built on toughness and an “any weather, any conditions” mentality, causing widespread “anarchy” on social media.
The incident Johnson referred to occurred in Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season, a game between the Baltimore Ravens (for whom Johnson was then playing, after being traded from the Carolina Panthers) and the Philadelphia Eagles. The temperature at M&T Bank Stadium on that December 1st day hovered around 41 degrees Fahrenheit – chilly, but far from the extreme cold that defines some late-season NFL games.
Johnson, a Florida native, explained his decision on the podcast, stating, “It was cold. So, I’m on the sideline, just standing there, just going to the heater, back and forth, just waiting to hear my name called. So, end of third [quarter], going into the fourth over there, they’re like, ‘Tae, we need you.’ I’m like, ‘Nah.’ To me, I’m thinking, ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea for me,’ because I was thinking about, like, my legs. I don’t want to go out there and put bad stuff on film.”1
He elaborated on his mental state at the time, indicating a deeper issue than just the temperature. “And it’s not like I didn’t want to go in the game. But you’ve got to think, like, leading up to this point, I’d been through so much… I’d checked out mentally. I was like, ‘Whatever happens, happens.’ I was just rolling with the punches at that time. So, I told them I wasn’t going in. I was like, ‘I understand what you’re saying, but I’m not going to go in.’ So, I just sat on the bench, and that’s when they suspended me.”
The2 Ravens subsequently suspended Johnson for one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team” and waived him a week later. He was then claimed by the Houston Texans, played one game, and was waived again, eventually signing a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Cleveland Browns this offseason.
Johnson’s admission immediately went viral, and Twitter (now X) became a battleground of opinions. The reactions were swift, fierce, and largely condemnatory, reflecting a collective disbelief that a professional athlete, earning millions, would refuse to play due to moderately cold weather.
- Veteran Players and Pundits Weigh In: Numerous former NFL players and prominent sports analysts lambasted Johnson. Three-time Super Bowl champion Je’Rod Cherry, speaking on ESPN Cleveland, expressed his disbelief: “He’s accustomed to cold weather and a key part he said in all that – he was by a heater. Those heaters work superbly well. They keep you warm so he can’t say he was cold. He was just disinterested in not going in because he hadn’t been utilized yet so call it what it’s worth. You know what [41 degrees] is about. You know how to mentally get there.”3 T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Darren Waller, on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco’s “Nightcap” show, criticized Johnson’s mindset, emphasizing the toughness required in the NFL.
- Fan Outrage: The vast majority of fans expressed anger and incredulity. Tweets flooded timelines, accusing Johnson of lacking commitment, professionalism, and passion for the game. Many pointed out the irony of a player refusing to play in 41-degree Baltimore weather, only to sign with the Cleveland Browns, a city notoriously colder in the winter months. Memes quickly emerged, juxtaposing Johnson’s comments with images of players battling blizzards and freezing rain in historical NFL games.
- “Soft” Accusations: The term “soft” was widely applied to Johnson, a label that carries significant weight in the hyper-masculine culture of professional football. Critics argued that his refusal to play, especially when needed by his team due to an injury to Rashod Bateman, demonstrated a fundamental lack of accountability and commitment.
- Mental Health vs. Professional Obligation Debate: A smaller segment of the discussion attempted to provide nuance, suggesting that Johnson’s “mentally checked out” comment might hint at deeper issues beyond just the cold. However, even these sympathetic voices struggled to reconcile mental fatigue with a direct refusal to enter a game due to weather, especially given the contractual obligations of an NFL player. The prevailing sentiment was that regardless of internal struggles, a player is expected to perform their duty when called upon.
- “Bad Film” Excuse Scrutiny: Johnson’s justification of not wanting to “put bad stuff on film” due to cold legs also drew heavy criticism. Pundits and fans alike argued that professional athletes are paid to perform under all conditions, and that making excuses for potential poor performance due to environmental factors is unacceptable. Many pointed out that sideline heaters and exercise bikes are available to keep players warm and limber.
- Irony with Cleveland: The most common point of derision was Johnson’s new team. “It’s a good thing he’s playing this year in <checks notes> CLEVELAND,” one analyst famously tweeted, highlighting the absurdity of his weather-related excuse when joining a city known for its harsh winter conditions. Fans from Pittsburgh (Johnson’s former team) also piled on, noting his previous five seasons in a similarly cold climate.
This public admission creates a significant cloud over Diontae Johnson as he prepares for the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns.
- Locker Room Perception: While the Browns organization may have had conversations with Johnson about this incident before signing him, his public confirmation of refusing to play due to cold weather will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion in the locker room. NFL players pride themselves on toughness, and this revelation could impact how some teammates view his commitment, particularly in crucial late-season games in Cleveland’s notoriously cold environment.
- Fan Scrutiny: Johnson will face intense scrutiny from Browns fans, especially if he struggles in cold weather games. Every dropped pass or missed assignment in chilly conditions will be met with renewed criticism and references to his Baltimore comments.
- Contractual Implications: Johnson is on a one-year veteran minimum deal with no guaranteed money. This means the Browns have very little financial commitment to him. If his performance or perceived commitment issues arise, it would be easy for them to move on.
- Reputational Damage: This incident, combined with his turbulent 2024 season that saw him bounce between three teams, has undeniably damaged Johnson’s reputation around the league. His market value next offseason will likely reflect these concerns.
Diontae Johnson’s decision to reveal his refusal to play in Baltimore has undoubtedly caused “anarchy” on Twitter and sparked a broader conversation about player professionalism, mental fortitude, and the expectations placed on athletes in the brutal world of the NFL. While his honesty is notable, the fallout highlights the unforgiving nature of professional sports, where even a slight perceived deviation from the expected standard of toughness can lead to a swift and severe public backlash. For Johnson, the 2025 season in Cleveland will now be under an even colder spotlight.
