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As rumors swirl about a possible settlement of the NFL’s efforts to discipline Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, he has finally shown remorse to the massage therapists who accused him of wrongdoing.
“Look, I want to say it’s me I’m really sorry for all women who I influenced in that situation,” Watson told Aditi Kinkhabwala in an interview aired during the pregame show on Channel 5 for the team’s preseason opener via ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter. “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 real person of character and I will.” also push further forward.”
Watson had previously shown no remorse to his alleged victims. Judge Sue L. Robinson found that Watson had engaged in nonviolent sexual assault on four women who provided him with private massages. He has been sued by 24 women so far, 23 of whom have been settled.
It’s a significant change in approach for Watson, who was censured by Justice Robinson for categorically denying wrongdoing in his version of events provided to the league. Whether it will help his case before Appeals Officer Peter Harvey remains to be seen. Before this happens, both sides have the opportunity to work out an amicable solution.