ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi called Baker Mayfield ‘(expletive) midget’ on hot mic

ESPN Cleveland radio personality Tony Grossi has long been a critic of Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, but he certainly crossed a line at the NFL Combine on Tuesday.

Audio picked up from a hot microphone hit Twitter with Grossi discussing the quarterbacks that the Browns have (and will) missed out on. He mentioned Joe Burrow, Carson Wentz, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes. When he referred to Mayfield, though, the ESPN Cleveland personality said that the Browns were stuck with a “(expletive) midget.”

The video made rounds on Twitter shortly after fans heard it — with many demanding an apology from Grossi and the station.

#browns they just called baker a f*****g midget on espn cleveland when they thought the mics were off pic.twitter.com/iSh3scQRCt

— Liam (@leojokerhart) February 25, 2020

Tony Grossi does not understand how microphones work, per source. #Browns

— Browns Beat Toaster (@BrownsToaster) February 25, 2020

…of them being children. Please take some time to educate yourself on the fact that word is extremely hurtful to so many human beings with dwarfism. You are better than that Tony. #GoBrowns #DawgPound #Believeland

— Todd Gibel (@Dwarven_Magic) February 25, 2020

Cleveland has always deserved so much better.

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) February 25, 2020

there are a lot of young, talented sports writers/personalities in NE Ohio who wouldn't take a position like Grossi's for granted & who would know how to connect with fans.

wish we could hear more from those kind of people.

— Mollis (@BurdsIVue) February 25, 2020

If Grossi still has a job after this ESPN Cleveland should be shut down, it’s already a joke of a station but when you got “reporters” talking like that you lose any sense of professionalism and credibility

— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) February 25, 2020

Mayfield is listed at 6-foot-1 — around the same height as Deshaun Watson.

This wouldn’t have been the first time that Grossi has spoken ill of Mayfield either. Heading into the draft, Grossi was adamant against Cleveland picking Mayfield.

1. Darnold. 2. Rosen. 3. Allen. 4. Anyone else. https://t.co/gct37A45FK

— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) December 30, 2017

He also compared Mayfield to Johnny Manziel, calling him a reincarnation of the Heisman Trophy-winning NFL bust.

And last season, Mayfield stormed off from a press conference over Grossi’s line of questioning.

Grossi was previously taken off the Browns beat from the The Cleveland Plain Dealer after he called then-Browns owner Randy Lerner a “pathetic figure” on Twitter.