UPDATE: ‘Trust must be earned’: Cleveland Browns GM John Dorsey defends decision to sign running back Kareem Hunt

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - The Cleveland Browns have signed running back Kareem Hunt.

Watch Browns GM John Dorsey discuss the decision to sign Hunt below:

Hunt, a Northeast Ohio native and graduate from Willoughby South High School, was released from the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 30, 2018 after a video surfaced showing him in an altercation with a female in the hallway of the Metropolitan at the 9 in downtown Cleveland during a February 2018 incident.

Cleveland 19 spoke with sports attorney Ricky Volante about Dorsey bringing Hunt to the Browns.

“I think there’s a possibility if there’s success on the field and success in particular with the Cleveland Browns, an organization that’s been so limited in their on field success in recent years,” said Volante. “I think that there are people who will never be able to look past (the 9 assault) in the case with Kareem Hunt. To make it extra complicated, he has admitted he lied to the NFL during the investigation, which leads to obstruction into an NFL investigation. He has entered into both an alcohol and aggression rehab program so from that standpoint he’s doing things right.”

In the TMZ video, Hunt is seen shoving a woman, who then strikes Hunt back in the face. Hunt then appears to make his way over to the woman who was knocked to the ground during a separate confrontation and kicks her.

[TMZ: Body camera video shows Kareem Hunt talking to Cleveland police after incident]

Hunt was not criminally charged in connection to the incident.

Browns General Manager John Dorsey and Hunt released a statement following the signing announcement.

As part of the investigation, the former University of Toledo running back is entering his third season on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt list, meaning he cannot play, practice, or attend his team’s games.

Hunt joins starting running back Nick Chubb, who had a breakout rookie season for the Browns. In 27 games, Hunt has rushed for 2,151 yards with 15 touchdowns while adding 10 receiving touchdowns.

This story will be updated.

Copyright 2019 WOIO. All rights reserved.