The Browns’ star quarterback, who further endeared himself to Cleveland’s fervent football fans by biting into a beer can last weekend and gulping it down while attending an Indians game, has added sports drink BODYARMOR to his growing list of endorsements.

And as for his beer-guzzling moment, which triggered a frenzy on social media and some criticism, Mayfield said it was done in fun and he’s not concerned about any negative backlash.

”I’m gonna be me,” he told The Associated Press.

He attended the Indians game against the Los Angeles Angels along with his wife, Emily, and some friends. The team asked his permission to be shown on their giant video board at Progressive Field. That’s when Mayfield took a swig of a beer in his hand before his buddy tossed him another brew.

Mayfield, who was wearing the jersey of Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor, chomped down on the can, and drained it ”shotgun” style. He popped out of his seat, pointed at Lindor’s name on his back and urged the crowd to get loud.

Cleveland fans loved it, Lindor homered and the Indians rallied for five runs soon after Mayfield’s chug.

There were some detractors. But he’s not planning to change his ways.

”No, not at all,” he said when asked if he worried about criticism. ”There’s been videos of a lot of guys chugging beers, and I’m just gonna do it my way. I’m going to enjoy it. It’s the night before our off day, and I’m enjoying watching the Indians make a final push. That’s the thing about it, I’m gonna be me.

”I always have been that and I’m not really worried about anyone’s opinion, because when I step into our building and when I go to work, there are priorities that are always intact and so that’s why I feel comfortable doing those types of things.”

Mayfield said he ”genuinely” likes BODYARMOR and is pleased to be the latest high-profile athlete to join the drink’s illustrious roster. It includes Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck, Angels All-Star outfielder Mike Trout and World Cup soccer champion Megan Rapinoe.

Mayfield said part of the allure of aligning with the company is because Kobe Bryant is a major investor and someone he has admired.

With the Browns expected to do big things this season, Mayfield is in high demand. His business portfolio, which already includes deals with Nike, Nissan, Panini America, will soon include some other major brands.

Mayfield shot several commercials this summer in Los Angeles for a national campaign expected to launch next month before the season kicks off.

As he adds endorsement deals, the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner said he’s discerning about companies and products that become partners.

”I’m not just going to do stuff for nickels and dimes here and there,” he told AP on an off day from training camp. ”It’s gotta fit. There have been things all over, but if it’s not the right fit, I’m not going to do it for any sort of paycheck – and that’s just how it is. That’s why BODYARMOR is for the right reasons.

”Being an athlete, it’s important to stay hydrated, and what they stand for means even more to me. My story line has been different, not your textbook one, so I’m going to do it my way and not just sort of do a generic deal right out of the gate because I want to get a paycheck.

”I’m going to do it if it fits, and I’m going to take my time deciding on that.”

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If recent history is a guide, Mayfield and the Sooners might want to avoid the Buckeyes in the near future.

Teams that disrespect their opponents often don’t have to wait long before getting their comeuppance.

Retribution for perceived slights has been a part of the game for decades, and though Mayfield later apologized for his actions, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has a history of getting even.

”I don’t think there’s any question that it’s a motivator for the other team. That’s what coaches do,” said Mack Brown, the former Texas coach and current ESPN analyst. ”As a coach, I’ve always said let’s make sure it’s about how we play, not what we said before or what we did after.”

Here are some of memorable paybacks in recent years, including an unforgettable move by Meyer when he was at Florida:

FLORIDA-GEORGIA (CROSS THE) LINE

In the late 2000s, the Florida-Georgia rivalry was as heated as any in the country. Roughly 70 players stormed the end zone after Georgia’s first touchdown in 2007, and the fired-up Bulldogs went on to win 42-30. Meyer didn’t forget, though. Florida pummeled Georgia 49-10 a year later, and Meyer called two timeouts in the final minute to extend the Bulldogs’ misery. Clemson might want to remember that: At its home opener this season, its band spelled out ”31-0” – the score the Tigers beat Meyer’s Buckeyes by in last year’s playoffs.

SMARTY SPARTY

Michigan State blew a 21-point lead 12 years ago in South Bend before rallying to beat Notre Dame, 44-41. The victory spoiled the home debut of coach Charlie Weis and gave the Spartans five straight wins at Notre Dame Stadium, so few could blame them for celebrating at the Irish’s 50-yard line. Notre Dame got its revenge a year later, outscoring Michigan State 19-0 in East Lansing in the fourth quarter for a 40-37 victory.

”It was basically, `Hey fellas, what’s it gonna be? Are we just going to be a bunch of also-rans or are we going to come out here and give it a chance to win the game?”’ Weis said.

CANES? NOT SO ABLE

Louisville wasn’t the consistent national power that it is these days when Miami visited back in 2006. The 17th-ranked Hurricanes decided it would be a good idea to stomp on the Cardinal logo at midfield before kickoff. Louisville throttled Miami 31-7 – starting a downslide that culminated with coach Larry Coker’s firing at the end of the season.

”Our players are embarrassed. Our coaches are embarrassed. We thoroughly got whipped,” Coker said.

DON’T HEDGE YOUR BETS

After Georgia Tech beat Georgia in Athens three years ago, some off the Yellow Jackets celebrated by picking off some of the famed hedges in Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs returned the favor in Atlanta in 2015, prompting some of Georgia’s players to plant their flag at midfield.

”They’re our little brothers for a reason. They got a little bit out of line last year, and we had to get them back in place,” Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins said.

DON’T MESS WITH SABAN

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville had fun tweaking rival Alabama during a six-year Iron Bowl winning streak. That included flashing five fingers toward fans after a 22-15 victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2006 that ended coach Mike Shula’s tenure at Alabama. Shula’s dismissal led to Nick Saban’s hiring, and Saban handed the Tigers a 36-0 defeat in 2008 to help end Tuberville’s reign. Alabama has won seven of the last nine meetings with Auburn.

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AP Sports Writer John Zenor contributed to this report from Birmingham, Alabama.

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More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

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He’s still an emotional sparkplug, but he has reined in his play and evolved into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football history.

Mayfield made his name as an underdog with something to prove. He started his college journey as a walk-on at Texas Tech, then transferred to Oklahoma and became a star. Last season, he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff.

Now, after an even better season, he’s bound for New York as a Heisman finalist. Though nobody is slighting him anymore, Mayfield’s competitive fire has pushed him to new heights. His efficiency rating of 197.8 is the highest in FBS history, ahead of the record of 191.8 set by Russell Wilson in 2011.

”I’ve had a good year,” Mayfield said. ”A lot of that is a credit to my teammates. The way we’ve practiced and the way we’ve executed every week, every day, just the way we’ve worked – it’s shown just by our undefeated conference run.”

Mayfield still likes to have fun. He sported a horseshoe mustache during the Oklahoma State game, saying there’s a new sheriff in town as a dig at the rival school’s Cowboy mascot. In what amounted to the Big 12 championship game last Saturday, Mayfield wore a shirt under his uniform proclaiming the Sooners the 2016 conference champions during the game.

”Typical Baker,” Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine said. ”There’s nothing wrong with being confident, and he has all the confidence in the world. He has more confidence than he needs. It’s him.”

When it’s time to get serious, though, Mayfield is all business.

”He’s always been coachable,” Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley said. ”A lot of guys have success early. The guys that continue to improve and don’t believe all the hype – they continue to work and continue to have that inner drive. He certainly has that, and that’s why he’s gotten better and better.”

Mayfield entered this season among the favorites to win the Heisman, but started relatively slowly, with average performances by his standards in losses to Houston and Ohio State. He came back in conference play and completed 73.5 percent of his passes with 31 touchdowns and just six interceptions for a passer rating of 208.9. He never threw more than nine incomplete passes in any Big 12 game.

Riley said Mayfield bounced back by worrying only about competing and doing his best for the team.

”When you don’t look at outside stuff, your situation doesn’t matter,” Riley said. ”When you’re focused on outside stuff, then you’re going to be happy when people love on you and you’re going to go into the tank when you lose a game like we did early in the year and everybody tells you you’re terrible.”

Mayfield said dealing with the spotlight during his breakout season last year helped him handle the increased scrutiny this season.

”It happened a little earlier just because of the year I had last year, so I’ve been able to just relax and not worry about whatever everybody thinks and just get my guys the ball and let them shine, too,” he said.

Fellow Heisman finalist Dede Westbrook has been shining most brightly. Last season, Sterling Shepard was Mayfield’s security blanket, but with Shepard now playing in the NFL for the New York Giants, Mayfield was forced to find a new go-to receiver. Westbrook stepped up with 74 catches for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns.

”He just has a knack for getting open,” Mayfield said. ”When you have a guy like that, especially with his speed, you really can’t overthrow him. It’s kind of a situation where you see him and he’s 1-on-1 coverage, you can literally just throw it deep to him and let him go run under it.”

Westbrook, also up for numerous major awards, believes Mayfield should win the Heisman.

”I think Baker is the best quarterback and best player in the country,” Westbrook said. ”There is no doubt about it. Whenever he’s out there, it’s just his mentality and the fact that nobody can stop him and he’s going to dominate in every phase of the game that he possibly could.”

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HEISMAN-DEFINING MOMENT: Oklahoma was coming off a loss to Ohio State and trailed TCU 7-0 early. The Sooners had the ball at the TCU 4-yard line when Mayfield faked to Perine, kept the ball and spun out of a tackle. He overpowered TCU’s Niko Small at the goal line and stiff-armed him to the ground in the end zone . The offense has maintained that attitude ever since.

BEST GAME: Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes lit up the Sooners for an FBS-record 819 total yards, including 734 passing, but Mayfield was up to the challenge. He completed 27 of 36 passes for 545 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions and led the Sooners to a 66-59 win .

WORST GAME: Completed 17 of 32 passes for 226 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 45-24 loss to Ohio State .

PRO PROSPECTS: Mayfield has said he will return for his senior season , and he will have a chance to boost his NFL stock. He is a bit short at 6-foot-1, but players like Wilson have paved the way for him to get a look.

”I think he’s got a chance to be a great pro,” Riley said. ”What the guy is doing right now and the level he’s playing at right now – not many people ever play at that level.”

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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP .

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