In a twist that feels more like a scripted drama than real life, the simmering war between the “new media” defenders of Shedeur Sanders and the traditional Cleveland press corps has just reached a boiling point. The catalyst? A prestigious award given to the very reporter many fans accuse of leading the “sabotage” campaign against the Browns’ rookie quarterback.

Mary Kay Cabot, the longtime beat reporter for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Bill Nunn Jr. Award by the Professional Football Writers of America. This is no small honor—it recognizes a “long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage” and places her name alongside legendary figures in the sport. But for a growing legion of outraged fans and analysts, this accolade feels like a slap in the face.

The “Saboteur” of Berea?

The backlash was immediate and fierce, led by vocal critics like the popular YouTube host “Jon The Liquidator.” In a scorching new segment, Jon didn’t hold back, labeling Cabot the “ringleader of the Shedeur Sanders Sabotage Marathon.”

The core of the anger stems from the perception that the Cleveland media, spearheaded by Cabot, has been protecting Head Coach Kevin Stefanski while subtly undermining Sanders. Critics point to the relentless stream of questions that seem designed to create friction rather than elicit insight.

“She is the op,” Jon declared, using the slang for opposition. “I’m looking like, it’s a lot of funny business going on… Mary Kay is getting praised for outstanding coverage? We all know she has been the ringleader of the hate campaign.”

The “Trash” Question That Sparked a Firestorm

The tension isn’t just about negative articles; it’s about the interactions in the locker room. The controversy reached a fever pitch recently when Cabot asked Sanders directly about the narrative that Stefanski was “sabotaging” him. While Sanders handled the question with diplomatic grace, the mere fact that it was asked sent shockwaves through the fanbase.

A viral audio clip, featured heavily in recent discussions, captures the raw frustration of former players who have dealt with the same media environment. In the clip, an impassioned voice—believed to be a former Browns player who survived the Brandon Weeden era—absolutely tears into the press corps.

“You guys f***ing suck that bad in the media that you have to get quotes like that to sell a paper?” the voice rages. “You’re asking your starting quarterback, the guy who has so much on his plate, ‘Is your head coach sabotaging you?’… The quarterback is the first one at the stadium and the last one to leave. At least treat him with a little respect or dignity.”

The speaker points out a disturbing pattern: “It’s the same people that have been there from when I was there, when Brandon Weeden was there… They don’t believe you’re going to be any good.”

A Disconnect Between Awards and Reality?

For the establishment, Cabot’s award is a long-overdue recognition of her decades of grinding on the beat, breaking news, and navigating the often-dysfunctional halls of Berea. She is only the second woman to ever win the Bill Nunn Jr. Award, a historic achievement that speaks to her tenacity. The announcement praised her for “getting excited about the next story as if it’s her first day on the job.”

But to the “Shedeur hive” and those convinced that the Browns organization is rotting from the inside out, this award is seen as the establishment protecting its own. They argue that “outstanding coverage” shouldn’t involve what they perceive as carrying water for a front office that allegedly forced its rookie QB to practice next to trash cans during training camp.

The timing could not be worse. With the Browns sitting at a dismal 3-10 record and the fanbase at each other’s throats over who is to blame—the rookie QB trying to survive or the coach making baffling play-calls—honoring the face of the local media feels tone-deaf to many.

The War Continues

As the Browns limp toward the end of another lost season, the battle lines are drawn. On one side, you have the “Old Guard”—Stefanski, the front office, and the traditional media now glistening with new hardware. On the other, you have Shedeur Sanders, his “new media” defenders, and a fanbase tired of the same old cycle of dysfunction.

“I just want you to know, I’m about to light you on fire until Shedeur is out of Cleveland,” Jon The Liquidator warned in his video, directing his ire at Cabot.

If the goal of journalism is to provoke reaction and spark conversation, Mary Kay Cabot has certainly succeeded. But as she accepts her award, the question remains: Is she reporting the dysfunction in Cleveland, or, as her harshest critics suggest, is she now an active participant in it? One thing is certain—in Cleveland, even the trophy ceremonies come with a side of controversy.