Deshaun Watson's 24 sexual harassment lawsuits will forever taint his NFL legacy
Deshaun Watson garnered a mixed response from the crowd while warming up for his first game as a Cleveland Browns player. The highly publicized move saw the franchise part ways with a boatload of draft picks in exchange for the QB.
Returning from a 11-game suspension that was levied against him by the NFL along with a massive $5 million fine, it was clear to see why the crowd was divided on Watson returning to the gridiron.
The scandal started back in early 2021 when attorney Tony Buzbee announced on Instagram that he was representing multiple women who were suing Watson for sexual harassment and assault.
As of March 2023, more than 24 women have come forward with allegations against Watson. The women claim that he made unwanted sexual advances toward them during massage therapy sessions, often exposing himself or touching them inappropriately.
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A woman who the QB reached out to personally to schedule a massage in her lawsuit alleged:
"(He) got more aggressive, forcefully telling her to move her hand down to his pubic area."
As per a report by ESPN, the plaintiff claimed that she "was afraid of what someone like Watson could do if she did not submit to his demands." The lawsuit further alleges that Watson forced the woman to then perform oral sex on him, something that she did not consent to.
Several of Watson's sponsors, including Nike and Beats by Dre, suspended or terminated their deals with him. But that didn't stop the Browns from offering him a $230M guaranteed contract in 2022. A deal that they placed while the league was still conducting its own investigation into the matter.
Browns' Deshaun Watson gamble yet to pay off
The Deshaun Watson situation caused a lot of tension between the team and their entire fan base. The allegations against Watson raised important questions about consent and power dynamics.
Many pointed out that Watson's status as a star athlete and celebrity may have allowed him to abuse his power and influence over these women. The allegations have also highlighted the importance of respecting boundaries and consent in all types of relationships.
The Browns, from a game-specific standpoint though, were bagging themselves a franchise QB. A position in which they have far underperformed over the years. The gamble is yet to pay off for the team.
Last season, he started six games for the Browns. In that span, the QB could only manage seven touchdowns for five interceptions. After missing close to a year and a half of football, people expected Watson to be rusty.
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But given the money on the line, Watson will have to deliver quickly or have his name added to the long list of QBs to fail in Cleveland.