The Cleveland Browns introduced Deshaun Watson at a press conference on Friday. Football was not the main topic of conversation to no one’s surprise.
Watson said it is not his intent to settle the 22 active civil suits. He wants to fight to clear his name.
Deshaun Watson wants to show people who he really is… #browns pic.twitter.com/hrIAILOMxy
— KimberlEY A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) March 25, 2022
The quarterback who is still facing 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, harassment, and assault addressed the controversy.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson says he gets why the trade is hard for female fans to reckon with: "I understand the seriousness of the allegations … I've never assault any women, I've never disrespected any woman."
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 25, 2022
This will certainly trigger a reaction:
Deshaun Watson, asked if he has any regrets: "I don't have any regrets. Like I said, the things off the field right now that came up caught me by surprise because I never did anything that these people are alleging."pic.twitter.com/3i87t1yCjo
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 25, 2022
Deshaun Watson was asked if he will consider going to counseling. "The counseling part is hard because I don't have a problem. I don't have an issue."
Reiterates again: "I never assaulted anyone. I never disrespected anyone."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 25, 2022
Watch the presser below.
WATCH LIVE: Deshaun Watson introductory press conference w/ Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry https://t.co/jgbnRzpjR9
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 25, 2022
Some of the reactions:
Deshaun Watson … not winning the press conference. This is an abject failure. The owner should be addressing this too
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 25, 2022
Deshaun Watson to reporters in Cleveland: “I understand these allegations are serious. I never assaulted any woman. I've never disrespected any woman. I was raised to be genuine and to respect everyone around me….
“I’ve never done the things that these people are alleging.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2022
Hmm – that’s quite a quote from Deshaun Watson. Super defiant. https://t.co/DFwkzSxGUv
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 25, 2022
Deshaun Watson had an entire year to explain why he got massages from so many different women and this is his answer? Yikes. pic.twitter.com/Zv1IOEiCJ2
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 25, 2022
This is not going well for Deshaun Watson and the Browns.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) March 25, 2022
Deshaun Watson has been accused of sexual misconduct by 22 different women and he says he has no regrets. My God
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 25, 2022
The Browns think that once Deshaun Watson helps them win games, the fans will cheer him on and forget about the 22 accusations. I'd like to think the Browns are wrong. The excitement I saw from Dolphins fans after the Tyreek Hill trade yesterday makes me think they're right.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) March 25, 2022