Deshaun Watson will not make his Browns debut until December, thanks to the 11-game suspension he received Thursday. While the quarterback expressed some degree of remorse in an interview before the ban came down, his comments Thursday took a different tone.
After Watson continued to insist he did nothing wrong, ESPN.com’s Dianna Russini noted (via Twitter) those close to the recently traded passer indicated his acceptance of a $5MM fine and mandatory counseling “has nothing to do with an admission of guilt” and is not an apology to the dozens of women who accused him of sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct. This stance and Watson’s comments during his Thursday press conference contrast from his official post-suspension statement and surely did not please those on the NFL’s side of this drama.
Watson, 26, cannot return to the Browns’ facility until October and cannot resume practicing until November. These dates, along with the Dec. 4 Texans game, are contingent upon Watson’s counseling. Compliance with a third-party behavioral expert is mandatory for Watson’s reinstatement, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Additional punishment would come Watson’s way if he fails to meet these standards.
Critically, however, the settlement covers the four cases that Judge Sue L. Robinson ruled upon as well as any “substantially similar” violations that took place before the date of settlement (August 18). So even if more therapists make allegations against Watson, the QB’s status with the NFL would be unaffected, as long as the allegations stem from incidents that occurred prior to August 18 and are similar in nature to those that have already come to light (meaning, for instance, that they don’t include claims of force) (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network).
Prior to the settlement, Watson had moved closer to the NFL’s 12-game offer and roughly an $8MM fine by being willing to accept an eight-game ban and a fine in the $5MM range. Watson, who signed a $230MM fully guaranteed deal after the blockbuster March trade, was open to paying what it took to return to the field sooner, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets.
Watson would likely have been willing to pay more in fines if it meant the eight-game suspension would be the punishment, Fowler adds. The NFL had sought a full-season penalty for months but likely backed off to prevent this matter from dragging into a lengthy court battle. Despite the backlash that has come out since this revised suspension emerged, a league source viewed Thursday’s punishment as “significant, definitive and final,” per the Washington Post’s Mark Maske (on Twitter).
The Browns have withstood the constant criticism of their decision not only to acquire Watson but to authorize a groundbreaking extension — less than 18 months after Watson signed a lucrative Texans contract. The former No. 12 overall pick ended up playing just 16 games on that $39MM-per-year deal. GM Andrew Berry, whom owner Jimmy Haslam said pitched the idea of the fully guaranteed deal, said the Browns would make the trade again. Citing the second chance the team gave Kareem Hunt after his 2018 assault of a woman was captured on video, via Pelissero (on Twitter), Haslam called this a similar opportunity for Watson.
“I think in this country, and hopefully in the world, people deserve second chances. I really think that,” Haslam said. “… Is he never supposed to play again? Is he never supposed to be a part of society? Does he get no chance to rehabilitate himself? That is what we are going to do.”
Although Watson will not play in Cleveland’s final two preseason games, he took snaps with the Browns’ second-string offense in a Thursday joint practice with the Eagles. His upcoming absence puts Jacoby Brissett in place to take over for the fill-in role he was signed to play. Brissett should be expected to remain the Browns’ starter going into the regular season. The Browns are not believed to be interested in Jimmy Garoppolo, per TheLandOnDemand.com’s Tony Grossi. Kevin Stefanski said he has been “very impressed” with Brissett, via ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter. The Browns have yet to name Brissett their Week 1 starter, however.
I think its bogus that the Texans ‘settled’ with the women and nothing from the league. Since Watson settled w/the same ladies as well.
The Texans weren’t assaulting anyone. They did what most billion dollar companies would do in that situation. Nothing good can come from a court battle.
Someone in the Texans organization knew what was happening, maybe not the assaults but knew that he was getting massages from different women all the time. Of course they knew. If they were so shocked about it, why not release Watson? Texans are dirty. Must be something in Houston
The original woman who filed first hasn’t settled with the Texans and Watson. Susan Robinson retired judge probably gave her enough information to win her CivilSuit against Watson. Hope she puts him in the poor house! Watson is a Sexual Predator. Bet there’s other women he harmed that never filed on him yet. Heard several women who owned businesses are afraid having their names exposed.
No admission of guilt, denials what he did was in any way wrong and no contrition. Tell me he won’t get in trouble again soon.
Don’t tell me you’re sorry ’cause you’re not
Baby when I know you’re only sorry you got caught
I think that song was written just for him.
Is that an R. Kelly song?
Funny how people with the Browns keep referring to Watson as showing remorse, but Watson never expresses that to the public even slightly.
Jimmy Haslem is a POS.
Nvm
No surprise he showed no remorse leading up to the verdict, the verdict indicated he showed none. Then the appeal gets filed and then the PR folks advised him to try and show some remorse, he does in an effort to influence the appeal, it comes back with the final verdict and he’s back to the guy in denial. Just like R. Kelly and every other sexual predator he sees nothing wrong with his behavior. It’s not a question of if, but more like when he’ll re-offend. He’s a POS and so are those that played any part in his escapades and/or rewarding him with the biggest guaranteed contract in the history of the sport.
Thought he was suspended but get to start training in Cleveland Stadium on October 10 2022. He has his own money and trainers thatcan train him. Shouldn’t be allowed to talk to players and coaches while he suspended! No remorse about his actions and wrong doings. Hoping he will screw up and get suspended for life from the NFL for good!
Just as Goodell gets ready to pat himself on the back he realizes Watson slipped a knife into his hand. What a weak showing from the NFL. I guess future players need only threaten a lawsuit and the league will “settle” (i.e. bend over) with them. Cowards on both sides…
And make no mistake, Haslem believes in second chances for troubled players just as long as the second chance comes with the Browns.
Kevin Stefanski was overheard saying he was “really impressed” with the brisket and was misquoted. Snow isn’t the only thing they shovel in Cleveland.
Noice, Watson’s first game back is against the Texans.
Watson seems clueless. Does this activity go back to Clemson? How can he feel his naked body and sex organ are free to do whatever he feels/needs?
Was he raised by wolves?
He must feel it’s an honor for women to touch his penis. How reprobate to see this as acceptable
He professes he a Christian but lives a life of self pleasure.
As a parent, I would be ashamed of this behavior. But the stereotype self absorbed athlete that gets away with this type of abuse, seem to common
This behavior is in his DNA, my concern is that this was masked in college. Coaches and players must have seen this occur in College.
Without any inside information, it would be not surprising to see if Watson showed this type of predatory behavior at Clemson
The next shoe to drop will be that he’s been doing this for the last decade. But the lack of accountability has allowed this to continue
Why else does he claim his “innocence”?
He thinks it’s ok to pressure women to touching his private parts
The man needs help in the worst way but those covering up this behavior needs to be exposed
And soon
If he still truly believes he is innocent then where is the defamation suit? We just watched Johnny Depp win one and seemingly win back over the public. I get “focusing on football and winning”, but this affects the man’s entire legacy and post-football LIFE.
If he were innocent he’d counter-sue.
he isnt innocent, he knows it, everyone knows it, yet he was still just guaranteed literally more money than i would know what to do with
Johnny Depp did to get back to a level of earning in his career. But this scumbag doesn’t need to because the Browns already gave his the largest guaranteed contract ever drafted in the history of the sport.
That’s unfortunately a very good point…
I hope week 12 he suffers a career-ending injury. Screw this guy.
Cause your behavior saying that is any better than his.
I’m spouting off on a message board, he sexually assaulted dozens of women IRL. So yeah, I’d say so.
A severe groin tear.
Watson is just a punk who has no respect for anyone but himself. I’m rooting for him and the Browns to turn into colossal failures. All the money in the world does not buy integrity, ethics or natal fortitude, so the hell with him and Haslam.
Texans were smart to let Watson go and got something in return. Similar to Michael Vick in regards to criminal behavior and loss of a season and half by Watson, shows the NFL has no back bone. Watson should have been banned from the league as should have Vick. Two different charges, but both criminal behavior with no morale. I haven’t seen one major sport penalize a player to career ban for sexual crimes or any illegal crimes committed. But will ban guys for gambling.
Stuff like this gives people and our children the negative idea that it’s ok to do these things. These men like Vick and Watson have been role models. So, thank you NFL for your honest support of cleaning up the league
Once you agree to pay a woman off for sexual assault charges, you should be banned for life
Vick owed lots of very important people some very significant money. That’s why he got that huge contract coming right out of prison and not some 1 year prove it deal.
He signed a one year deal in 2009 with the eagles…with a second year option. They gave I’m the extension in 2010.
Brissett will lead them to 2-9 in his 11, then Watson will mop up 2-4 in his 6. I would love it if that 4-13 record them the 1st pick in the draft…but… wait…they don’t own that pick. Houston does. It’s just Karma, man; beautiful Karma.
Houston doesn’t deserve to get rewarded either. They’re guilty too or they wouldn’t have paid. They’re just like Watson….paying for silence
Not like I believe they are innocent, but you do realize what you’re suggesting is not how it works, right? It was very likely just easier, cheaper, and or better for PR reasons for TEX to settle, innocent or not. That’s why 95% or something like that of legal cases are settled as such.
If they knew nothing, why did Buzbee sue them? There had to be something there. The Houstonian or whatever the place is called where these took place, isn’t getting sued and. Houston Texans knew something
Did the Texans have an idea what Watson was doing? I’d guess not, because that could open themselves up to charges of being accessories to Watson’s actions, and great liability. I’d guess it was more a case of “don’t ask, don’t tell” between them and Watson, with the Texans being suspicious of Watson but not wanting to know. You know the obvious reason why Buzbee sued the Texans: deep pockets. I hope those women all got paid a king’s ransom from Watson and the Texans, but whatever it was, it couldn’t have been enough.
They knew enough to craft up the NDAs and drop a stack in his locker right after an accusation was made. He only went outside the organization once those inside refused to work on him anymore. They certainly knew.
Sure Jimmy. He gets to rehabilitate himself and what better way for him to truly commit to that than to not have the distraction and stress of playing football at all?
No, he doesn’t deserve to ever play football again. He’s lost that privilege with his behavior. Or at least he should have. But the NFL is woke and weak and can’t punish a person for doing the unspeakable because some people might get too upset over that. So cave in, slap on the wrist, and then practice looking shocked and how to act like you care when it happens again in about a year.
Cleveland fans, I tried to warn you about this. This is the swirling sound just starting. Your franchise is going down the Johnny flusher soon and none of you can see it. This is just the beginning. The fish rots from the head down. The leadership of this team is the worst. They can’t help themselves.
You have a QB you drafted and invested in, gets you to the playoffs, wins your first playoff game in a quarter century. Then he comes back and plays through a major injury and plays his guts out for you….and you toss him aside….to give a RECORD, FULLY GUARANTEED contract to a headcase who screams racism at everything and a serial sexual predator who has learned absolutely nothing from his crime because he paid off everyone and got away with it.
This will blow up and it will end worse than you even think it could.
Dude you’re gonna have a heart attack
Did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?
I’d hate to see you miss the first games of the season
I’ve missed every game of every season for the past 4-5 years now. And I wouldn’t say I’ve been “missing” them.
When they start winning next year..the Cleveland fans will forget all about it unfortunately.
Let’s hope they don’t start winning or forget about it.
There is one sneaky trick the NFL could play. They could slip a little cocktail in his urine sample and get an 8 game suspension added to the end of this one. That takes it over until next season. He can cry setup but who is believing him now? Come on Roger you have guys that can do this for you get it done.