CLEVELAND, Ohio - The cleveland.com Sports Awards continues with our nominees for Villain of the Year.
Readers vote to decide the winners for the most amazing, interesting and deserving Cleveland athletes, teams and moments of 2017. Or in this case, the opposition most deserving of top villain -- named after former Browns owner Art Modell.
Categories will be released Dec. 22-Jan. 2, with winners announced in January.
Today's category:
THE ART MODELL MEMORIAL VILLAIN OF THE YEAR
The nominees are ...
Kenny Britt
The ninth-year receiver didn't catch enough passes for Cleveland, but benefitted from a four-year $32.5 million deal including $10.5 million guaranteed agreement with the Browns.
Wow.
Britt was waived after the arrival of Browns general manager John Dorsey and he found a new home signing with the New England Patriots in December.
How about that for the 29-year-old who finished with 18 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns in nine games started joining last year's Super Bowl champions?
"I have no problem making that decision,'' general manager John Dorsey said today on "The Really Big Show'' with Aaron Goldhammer on WKNR 850, a radio partner of the Browns. "From a cultural standpoint I don't think he fits in the prototypical character point of what I'm looking for in terms of a leader. He did not live up to his expectations as a player.''
Aroldis Chapman
For the second year in a row, the left-handed pitcher spoiled the playoffs for the Cleveland Indians and their fans. On Nov. 2, 2016, Chapman won Game 7 of the World Series for the Chicago Cubs in Cleveland. Then a year later, he returns to Cleveland with the New York Yankees to eliminate the Indians 3-2 in the AL Division Series.
Fans were not happy about the ending, again.
Draymond Green
The All-Star forward may forever be unwelcomed to Cleveland. However its a guess that he's okay with it winning two NBA championships at the expense of the Cavaliers.
After winning his second title, Green took it a step further mocking the Cavs during the Warriors' championship parade. He wore a T-Shirt stating "Quickie" referencing the 4-1 series win using the Quicken Loans Arena logo where the Cavs play their home games.
"Well the Q, you know that's what those guys' arena is called and we got them out here quick," said Green to then-NBC Sports reporter Rosalyn Gold-Onwude.
However, he appears to be a supporter of Cleveland business ordering the T-Shirt from an unnamed retailer in Northeast Ohio. Makes you wonder who is the real villain in this case.
Iowa Football
Ohio State was shooting for a return trip to the National Championship since 2014. However, the Buckeyes plans were derailed after a 31-16 loss to Oklahoma and a back breaker 55-24 loss to unranked Iowa.
Teams looking for a spot in the College Football Playoffs can't afford to lose many games and Ohio State was the victim against the Hawkeyes.
The Buckeyes (11-2) will play USC in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29 in Arlington, Texas, after winning the Big Ten Championship against 27-21 against Wisconsin.
RELATED: Ohio State blocked by Alabama
RELATED: See reaction to Ohio State missing the College Football playoffs
Kyrie Irving
How can anyone be mad at Kyrie Irving? He helped bring the Cavs their first NBA title knocking down a key shot in Game 7. Then off the court, he held camps for children and donated his signature shoes.
But once he demanded a trade from the Cavaliers after six seasons his name has found a way to be nominee for the greatest sports villain list. Specifically, Irving makes the list for his jaw dropping comments since being traded to Boston.
Remember when Jalen Rose asked Irving the biggest difference between the two cities.
His answer, "ball movement."
Or how about Boston is a "real, live sports city."
Contrary to the opposition from fans and players, the Cavs nearly revealed a tribute video for Irving when he returned to Cleveland for the team's season opener. However, the organization declined to show it avoiding what could have been a spectacle.
Kyrie Irving--love him or hate him. You be the judge.
Baker Mayfield
The Oklahoma quarterback's road to winning the Heisman Trophy wasn't short of any drama. Despite putting the Sooners in position to win a national title, Mayfield started his road with a 31-16 win against Ohio State and ended the night planting a OSU flag at the center of Ohio Stadium.
"It was emotional game. After the game I did not mean for it to be disrespectful toward any Ohio State people at all, especially the team or the players. They're a great team and a great program," Mayfield said.
Now that you've probably rolled your eyes to his statement, all you need to know is that he regretted his decision and karma came back in the form of a 38-31 loss to Iowa State and being stripped of his captaincy for grabbing his crotch against Kansas.
It will be interesting to see how Ohio State fans react if the Browns draft Mayfield in April.
RELATED: Reaction to Mayfield planting a flag at Ohio Stadium