The Cleveland Browns are defending their decision to trade for Deshaun Watson, the quarterback who’s facing allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct from 22 women. Facing a wide spread of backlash after making a deal with Houston Texans to acquire Watson, the Browns released a statement on Sunday.
“We are acutely aware and empathetic to the highly personal sentiments expressed about this decision,” Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said, according to ESPN. “Our team’s comprehensive evaluation process was of utmost importance due to the sensitive nature of his situation and the complex factors involved. We also understand there are still some legal proceedings that are ongoing and we will respect due process.”
The Browns, not only traded for Watson, but also gave him a new five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed. According to ESPN, the quarterback is now getting the most guaranteed money on a single contract in NFL history.
The Browns acquired Watson nine days after a Texas grand jury declined to indict him on criminal charges. Still, the 26-year-old athlete faces civil lawsuits from 22 women who have accused him of sexual assault and sexual misconduct during massage sessions, ESPN reports.
Fans, football analysts and advocates of women’s rights are flocking to social media to condemn the Browns.
https://twitter.com/mycatalan88/status/1504068906998288390
An easy way to remember the details of Deshaun Watson's new contract is that he gets a $10mm signing bonus and then an additional $10mm for every woman who has accused him of sexual assault, for a total of $230 million.
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) March 18, 2022
Did that comprehensive evaluation process involve talking to the 22 women who've accused Deshaun Watson of sexual assault? Did it involve talking to the attorney?
Unless the Haslams did that, it's not comprehensive. It's selective – listening for only what you want to hear. https://t.co/96hD64PkOZ
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 20, 2022
They made his salary for next year $1mm, so that when he is inevitably suspended by the league he will only lose a fraction of the guaranteed $230mm in his deal. This statement is, to use a technical legal term, utter horseshit. https://t.co/aS4NwVxv4J
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) March 20, 2022
Some longtime Browns fans have also decided to separate themselves from the team.
Jokes aside. I’m legitimately devastated by this. Crushed. Too much of my identity was tied up in the Browns. I want no part of Watson situation. I’m out and the whole thing made my body sink. I’m stunned and hurt. This is a bad decision the Browns made. Made numb by it. Sucks
— Mike Ryan (Ruiz) ⭐️⭐️ (@MichaelRyanRuiz) March 18, 2022
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the organization “did a tremendous amount of background on Deshaun.”
“It was important for us to meet with Deshaun in person as part of our team’s evaluation process, we had a candid conversation regarding his approach to coming into our organization and community,” Stefanski said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to coach Deshaun, he is ready to put in the hard work needed to help our team improve and make a positive impact in our community.”
