Browns owner Jimmy Haslam insists he would ‘absolutely’ bring Deshaun Watson to Cleveland again
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has no regrets about acquiring Deshaun Watson after the quarterback was handed an 11-game suspension Thursday for sexual misconduct allegations.
When asked, Haslam said he would ‘absolutely’ sign Watson again today, despite the fact that he’s been accused by two dozen women of sexual misconduct in civil lawsuits.
‘Is he never supposed to play again?,’ Haslam opined. ‘Is he never supposed to be part of society?’
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has no regrets about trading for Deshaun Watson
‘We gave Kareem Hunt a second chance and that worked out pretty well.’
Hunt was released by the Chiefs in 2018 after a video surfaced of him assaulting a woman in a hotel.
However, as one Twitter user noted, Hunt and Watson’s ‘second chances’ look wildly different.
Hunt, a Pro Bowler with the Chiefs, was cut by Kansas City and scooped up by Cleveland on a one-year $1.1 million contract.
In the case of Watson, the Browns traded three first-round picks (and more) to Houston for him, and he was then handed a five-year $230 million contract extension by Cleveland.
Watson will now miss a large chunk of that contract’s first year after the NFL and players’ union settled the league’s appeal of Watson’s suspension.
Watson maintained his innocence on Thursday, but apologized to those he’d ‘triggered’
He was initially given a lighter six-game suspension by an independent arbitrator.
As part of the terms of the suspension, Watson will have to ‘promptly undergo a professional evaluation by behavioral experts and will follow their treatment program,’ though the former Houston QB maintained his innocence on Thursday.
Watson has used deliberate language in discussing the allegations, saying Thursday his apology was for the people he’d ‘triggered’, and apologized last week ‘to all the women I’ve impacted.’
‘I’m moving on with my career and my life, and I’m continuing to stand on my innocence,’ Watson said to reporters Thursday.
‘Just because settlements happen doesn’t mean a person is guilty.’
Watson was fined $5 million as well, which will couple with $1 million contributions from the NFL and the Browns to create a $7 million charitable fund that will be used to educate young people on sexual assault.
Watson is now expected to make his debut against the Texans – his old team – on December 4
He released a statement in response to the suspension.
‘I’m grateful that the disciplinary process has ended and extremely appreciate of the tremendous support I have received throughout my short time with the Browns organization,’ Watson said.
‘I apologize once again for any pain this situation has caused. I take accountability for the decision I made. My focus going forward is on working to become the best version of myself on and off the field and supporting my teammates however possible while I’m away from the team.’
‘I’m excited about what the future holds for me in Cleveland.’
Watson can practice until August 30, and will be eligible for reinstatement on November 28.
His first game, assuming he is healthy, will be against the Texans on December 4.
