BEREA , OHIO – AUGUST 18: Cleveland Browns managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam before a joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on August 18, 2022 in Berea, Ohio Speech at the conference. (Photo by Nick Kamit/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns Owners Jimmy and Di Haslam defended the actions of quarterback Deshaun Watson because he was 26 and played well.
In Deshaun Watson’s investigation, many seemingly contradictory points emerged. Watson apologized for causing harm, but insisted on his innocence. The judge condemned his bad behavior but handed him a six-game ban. The NFL condemned his actions so much that they called for an 11-game suspension, but he continued his career as one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Finally, Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam talk about the key to Watson’s future in the league that really matters: He’s very good at kicking Football, that’s what really matters.
In a question about Deshaun Watson’s behavior, Jimmy Haslam said: “It’s important to remember Deshaun Watson is 26 and he’s a hell of a lot. NFL quarterback.” pic.twitter.com/cIeLtnzkGg
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022
“We respect his opinion,” when asked if she Believing Watson is innocent, Dee said. “I do think that in counseling, DeShawn gets to know himself more and more.”
“People deserve a second chance,” Jimmy added to the statement later. “I’m struggling a little bit: shouldn’t he play anymore? Shouldn’t he be part of society? Didn’t he have a chance to recover himself?”
“You could say, ‘Well, he’s a star quarterback’ — of course!” Jimmy laughed.
Browns, U.S. The NFL and Haslam are on a good path: They want to condemn Watson for what he did and punish him appropriately, but they are reluctant to let one of the best quarterbacks of the 2020 NFL season leave the league.
NFL reporter Dov Kleiman juxtaposes conflicting messages from the Browns. Somehow, Watson felt remorse for his actions while maintaining his innocence.
#Browns situation in a video.
Jimmy Haslam: “He said he was remorseful.”
Deshaun Watson: “I continue to maintain my innocence.”
“Just because a settlement happens, doesn’t mean a person is guilty .” pic.twitter.com/BKZX58AOJQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022
The Browns have had months to hone appropriate responses to questions about Deshaun Watson. Brown’s Brass could choose to be tight-lipped about the situation and offer boring, repetitive answers, but instead, the Haslams dabble in dark moral territory. Taking advantage of De’Shawn’s age and football ability would only make their pleas for forgiveness appear hypocritical.
It’s one thing to want a person to recover and treat them with dignity, it’s not something the NFL has any jurisdiction over. But in the years following the #MeToo movement, it was shocking to see a star NFL quarterback keep his job after proving sexual misconduct because he was young and good at football.
No one wants to see a Harvey Weinstein movie or a Kevin Spacey movie or a Matt Lauer news story , and many NFL fans don’t want to see Deshaun Watson play quarterback anymore. But in the NFL world that spans sports and entertainment, winning still matters — and the Browns reiterated today that they want to win at all costs.
