Baker Mayfield Hilariously References His Arrest From Oklahoma Sooners Days During ManningCast

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield made his relevance again this week, not for his on-field play, but for a hilarious and self-aware reference to his past during ESPN’s ManningCast with Peyton and Eli Manning.

During the Monday Night Football alternate broadcast, the former Oklahoma Sooners star joined the Manning brothers to discuss one of his highlight-reel plays this season. However, the conversation soon turned to a dark chapter of the former Heisman winner’s collegiate career, which he now tackles with humor.

Baker Mayfield’s ManningCast Moment Turns His Infamous Arrest Into a Laugh-Out-Loud Story

Eli Manning cued up a clip from Tampa Bay’s Week 6 matchup against San Francisco, where Mayfield scrambled out of pressure to convert on third-and-14.

“Week 6, you’re facing a third and 14 against the 49ers. You had one of the plays of the season…take us through the play here and tell us when you went from, all right, avoid this sack to I might get the first out,” Eli asked.

Mayfield, known for his quick wit, recounted the sequence with a grin. “Right about here. It was late in the day, and they did a good job on the twist game up front. Had a couple of guys running free. Somehow snuck out of that one,” Mayfield said, laughing.

Eli Manning, via @OmahaProd: “What day of the week do you work on scrambling?”

Baker Mayfield: “I tried one time in Fayetteville, Arkansas — it didn’t go too well. Wound up getting arrested.”pic.twitter.com/V7TgDAiL2E

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) November 4, 2025

Eli then jokingly pressed further on Mayfield’s improvisational skills: “When do you work on that? What day of the week do you work on breaking tackles and the spin moves and some of that stuff up and under?”

That’s when Mayfield delivered the punchline that left the Manning brothers bursting with laughter. “I tried one time in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It didn’t go too well. I ended up getting arrested, but I’ve improved since then. So, just find a time whenever I can,” he quipped.

What is The Story Behind Baker Mayfield’s Infamous Fayetteville Arrest During His Oklahoma Days

The remark was a tongue-in-cheek callback to one of the most infamous moments of his college career. Back in February 2017, Mayfield, then the star starting signal-caller for the Sooners, was arrested in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fleeing, and resisting arrest.

The incident occurred when police responded to a disturbance, and Mayfield tried to flee from the scene, eventually being tackled by officers. According to reports, Mayfield appeared intoxicated, slurred his speech, and resisted handcuffing. He was booked early that morning and released a few hours later on bond.

The case naturally drew national attention, especially after dashcam footage of his arrest was released weeks later. Mayfield later pleaded guilty to three of the charges as part of a plea deal, completing 35 hours of community service and an alcohol education program.

He also publicly apologized on social media, calling the arrest “the biggest mistake” of his life and promising to regain the trust of his teammates and fans. Despite the controversy, the Sooners’ star rebounded to win the 2017 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first walk-on player in history to claim the honor.

Now, years later, Mayfield’s ability to poke fun at his past on national television highlights just how far he’s come, from a college scandal to a respected NFL starter who’s led Tampa Bay to back-to-back NFC South titles.

Oklahoma Sooner’s 2025 Season and SEC Road Ahead

While Mayfield’s comments sparked laughter, his alma mater is navigating a tense stretch in the SEC, with a 3-2 conference record in the 2025-2026 season. Brent Venables’ Sooners, now 7-2 overall, rebounded from a tough midseason stretch with a 33-27 victory over Josh Heupel’s Tennessee.

According to the PFSN College Football Playoff Meter, Oklahoma currently has a 16.2% chance to make the playoff, sitting 12th in power ranking with 8.7 projected wins. The Sooners also rank No. 4 nationally in defensive impact, though their offensive consistency remains a concern.

After surviving a loud night crowd in Knoxville, the Sooners will again face one of college football’s most hostile environments in Tuscaloosa, as their next matchup is against another SEC challenger, a key November game against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium.  The showdown with Alabama could define Oklahoma’s postseason hopes as they close the year with home games against Missouri and LSU.