The Cincinnati Bengals have selected controversial Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
This move is made a bit better after the team traded back in Round 2 with the Minnesota Vikings, flipping from pick 41 to 48 while still getting the guy everyone knew they were targeting from the start.
Bengals owner Mike Brown approved this pick after an extensive vetting process that included the Bengals traveling to Oklahoma and Mixon traveling to Cincinnati for an official pre-draft visit.
The reactions are extremely mixed as fans are unsure how to feel as a result of Mixon’s past behavior. In 2014, Mixon reached an Alford plea on a misdemeanor assault charge. Video emerged years later in December 2016 showing Mixon punching a woman in the face on July 25, 2014. The Alford plea allowed him to maintain his innocence while admitting the prosecution had enough evidence to convict. He received a one-year deferred sentence, 100 hours of community service, and mandated behavioral counseling. He was suspended for the 2014 season. You can read a full timeline of Mixon’s history in Oklahoma here, which also includes a 2016 one-game suspension after he disrespected a parking attendant due to being upset about a ticket he received.
What follows are social media reactions from fans, the media and Bengals players in regards to the selection of Joe Mixon.
MARVIN LEWIS REACTION to drafting Joe Mixon #Bengals #WhoDey @WLWT pic.twitter.com/ITMYKR7vRz
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) April 29, 2017
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FEEL?!
— Braden Whited (@BradenWhited) April 29, 2017
@JoeGoodberry I don't want to cheer for someone that is on camera punching a woman in the face. I don't care how good he is at football.
— Rob Watson (@AshamedWatson) April 29, 2017
They are, in every way, the Bengals.
— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) April 29, 2017
Buckle up, #Bengals PR staff https://t.co/LMyyziSD3M
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) April 29, 2017
LETS GET IT
— Jeremy Hill (@JeremyHill33) April 29, 2017
@jstambough @CincyJungle @dalvincook Mixon far better player tbh. Conflicted for obvious reasons but a home run pick on the field.
— ARN (@ANichols70) April 29, 2017
@CincyJungle Got their guy and an extra pick
— Ahollen (@AlanHollen) April 29, 2017
Pretty sweet that the #Bengals drafted Jeremy Hill for a second time. #HotTaek
— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) April 29, 2017
i'm okay with mixon as a football player. and considering the bengals' due diligence, i'm okay with him as a person as well.
— Connor Howe (@YBConnor) April 29, 2017
The house could come crashing down if the medical staff screwed up the Ross eval and the moral staff (probably) screwed up Mixon eval
— Jake Liscow (@Jake_NFL) April 29, 2017
Ross/Mixon is an incredible duo for CIN.
— Ryan (@StillRyanFive) April 29, 2017
Best backfield in the league yeah I said it
— Jeremy Hill (@JeremyHill33) April 29, 2017
Best backfield in the league yeah I said it
— Jeremy Hill (@JeremyHill33) April 29, 2017
— Marquis Flowers (@MrHitThat_53) April 29, 2017
I am not happy right now. But, I will root for Joe Mixon on Sundays.... And Mondays and Thursdays and sometimes on Saturdays. #WhoDey
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) April 29, 2017
Bengals open themselves up for a ton of criticism-- take Mixon in the 2nd round. They love taking chances.
— Brad Steinke (@bradsteinke) April 29, 2017
Quietest press conference room EVER.................#Bengals
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) April 29, 2017
For better or worse the bengals deserve everything they get
— Paul Daugherty (@EnquirerDoc) April 29, 2017
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Me personally, I'm flatly against Mixon, who was caught doing something way worse than a "mistake."
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) April 29, 2017
About half the teams had Joe Mixon off their board. Some evaluators believed he was the top RB overall if you consider only football.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2017
In an anonymous survey over past week with all 32 NFL teams, only four said they would consider drafting RB Joe Mixon. But only takes one.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2017
The working definition of irony. Anthony Munoz announces Joe mixon
— Paul Daugherty (@EnquirerDoc) April 29, 2017
Joe Mixon in the 2nd. No surprise at all. Less surprised that the Bengals took him. They believe in their structure for 2nd chance players
— Charles Davis (@CFD22) April 29, 2017
Munoz was not happy announcing that pick. AT ALL.
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) April 29, 2017
Ken Zampese on Mixon's football skill: I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 29, 2017
Marvin: We have a plan in place for Mixon and helping him move forward. Won't divulge to media, but feel comfortable with our research.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) April 29, 2017
Asked Marvin how much public reaction and backlash was part of their decision: "Every bit of it." #Bengals @FOX19
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) April 29, 2017
Joe Mixon very emotional talking to Cincinnati media. Said he didn't know how far he would drop because of off field incident. #Bengals
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) April 29, 2017
Mixon says he's crying and can't believe it. #Bengals
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) April 29, 2017
Marvin Lewis: That was one day in this young man's life. He has a chance to write his own script moving forward #WLWT
— Derek Forrest (@DerekWLWT) April 29, 2017