Running back Joe Mixon boycotts conversations with several reporters on the sidelines of a Cincinnati Bengals practice session because he finds their behaviour disrespectful.

It’s not getting quiet around Joe Mixon. The running back refused to talk to reporters from Sports Illustrated, the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Pro Football Network and ESPN after his Cincinnati Bengals practice on Sunday, according to an “ESPN” report.

He cited disrespectful behaviour by members of the media as the reason, but would not provide further details.

Only later did his advisor Peter Schaffer clarify that he was concerned about the individual journalists and not their employers.

Earlier, Mixon had been acquitted of a charge of aggravated menacing by a court, saying the prosecution had not been able to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

Mixon’s contract with Bengals adjusted

In addition, the running back faces further trouble from a civil lawsuit after his former neighbours’ son was injured by the shot of a real gun during a fight with toy guns on Mixon’s property.

The 27-year-old was not among the defendants in the criminal trial over the incident.

During the legal troubles, Cincinnati had kept the ball carrier on the roster, but renegotiated his contract to put less of a burden on the Bengals’ 2023 salary cap.