The Cleveland Browns have already faced plenty of scrutiny heading into the 2026 NFL season, and a recent appearance by assistant general manager and vice president of football operations Catherine Hickman has added another unexpected controversy.
Hickman appeared at a press conference wearing a ripped gray sweatshirt with the words, “Los Angeles Made Me Do It.” What may have simply been a fashion choice quickly drew attention because of Cleveland’s recent history with the Los Angeles Rams.
Catherine Hickman’s Outfit Sparks Criticism
The backlash was not only about whether the outfit was appropriate for a press conference. For many Browns fans, the reference to Los Angeles hit close to home.
Just months earlier, Cleveland made a major franchise decision by trading superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. In return, the Browns received a package that included draft picks and young pass rusher Jared Verse.
That made Hickman’s sweatshirt particularly difficult for some fans to ignore. An executive representing the Browns appearing in a shirt referencing Los Angeles, especially after the Garrett trade, was viewed by critics as poor timing.
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NFL analyst Marcus Mosher was among those who criticized the outfit and its potential message. “You can’t wear this sweatshirt. It doesn’t matter if it’s intentional or not. Impressions matter. And this is an awful look,” Mosher said.
You can’t wear this sweatshirt. It doesn’t matter if it’s intentional or not,
Impressions matter. And this is an awful look. https://t.co/ICx4PbQou6
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 2, 2026
Whether Hickman intended the sweatshirt to have any connection to the Garrett trade remains unclear. However, the timing was enough to spark strong reactions.
Browns Face Major Questions at Quarterback
The outfit controversy comes as the Browns prepare for a season filled with uncertainty, particularly at quarterback.
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Head coach Todd Monken has named Deshaun Watson the Browns’ Week 1 starter, ending a lengthy training camp competition with second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
The decision has already sparked plenty of debate following an inconsistent preseason by both quarterbacks.
Watson had a solid outing against the Chicago Bears, completing 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards. However, he struggled in the following game against the Buffalo Bills, completing just five of 12 passes for 36 yards and an interception. He was also booed by the home crowd during the Bills game. Watson initially described the reaction as “personal” before later clarifying his comments.
Sanders, who ranked second-worst among quarterbacks in PFN’s QB Impact Metric last season, showed some promise in the preseason. He went 6-of-11 for 79 yards and an interception against Chicago, then completed 9-of-11 passes for 74 yards, a touchdown, and an interception against Buffalo.
Still, Monken chose Watson to lead the offense into the regular season.
For now, the Browns have their starting quarterback, but the pressure surrounding Watson and the organization is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
Hickman’s outfit may not affect the team on the field, but it has created another unwanted distraction for the organization.
