Deshaun Watson APOLOGIZES for the first time to ‘all the women he’s influenced’ amid allegations of sexual misconduct… as he returns to the field despite being banned to loud boos for Browns’ preseason opener
Deshaun Watson apologized to the women who first accused him of sexual assault on Friday night, just hours before stepping back onto the NFL field while awaiting news of his impending ban.
Watson has been high on the NFL news agenda for months amid allegations of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, and the Cleveland Browns quarterback is waiting to hear if his initial six-game suspension will be extended — potentially to a year or more .
“I really want to feel sorry for all the women that I’ve influenced in this situation,” Watson said on the Browns’ pregame show ahead of the team’s preseason matchup against the Jaguars.
“The choices I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to have back, but I want to keep moving forward and growing and learning and showing that I’m a true person of character and I will.” do keep pushing forward.’
Deshaun Watson has been suspended for six games but could face a longer sentence
The alleged sexual assault and improper conduct that Watson is accused of in the lawsuits filed by 25 women occurred during massage sessions between March 2020 and March 2021.
The Texans, his former team, also reached settlements in July with 30 women alleging sexual misconduct against him and alleged “enabling” behavior on the part of the Houston franchise.
During the interview, Watson was asked to follow up on what he meant by “growing and learning” and indicated he would seek help off the pitch.
Watson is not expected to start the season for the Browns but did play on Friday night
“I know I have to put in a lot of work, especially on the field, to make sure I’m ready to play whenever I can get back on the field,” he said.
But the most important thing is also that I want to continue the counseling and make sure I grow as a person, as an individual to my decision making on and off the field. I want to make sure I grow as much as I can in the community, and that goes for the Cleveland community, that’s the NFL community and beyond.
Watson was suspended for six games by Disciplinary Officer Sue L. Robinson for violating the league’s personal conduct guidelines, but the league, which is calling for a harsher sentence, is appealing the ruling.
Watson, who has not played since 2020, started Friday night against the Jags although he is not expected to start the season for the Browns in September.
He was allegedly booed when he first took the field for Cleveland.