Browns embattled QB Deshaun Watson breaks silence, says he 'never assaulted anyone'
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson finally broke his months-long silence on Tuesday. When he did, he maintained his innocence in the face of 24 lawsuits against him.
“I never assaulted anyone," Watson said following the first day of the team's minicamp. "I never harassed anyone or I never disrespected anyone. I never forced anyone to do anything.”
Watson had not spoken to the media since his March 25 introductory news conference. His message on Tuesday was similar to what he conveyed then. However, he did clarify his statement about having "never disrespected a woman in his life" that he made during that March news conference.
"I think that question kind of triggered a lot of people," Watson said. "Not just women in general but a lot of people in the league from women to males and things like that. What I was saying is, yes, I've never assaulted, disrespected or harassed anyone.
"But at the same time I understand, and I do have regrets as far as the impact that it's had on the community and people outside of just myself," he continued. "That includes my family, that includes this organization, that includes my teammates in this locker room that have to answer to these questions, that includes the fan base of the Cleveland Browns, that includes males, females, everyone across the world.
"That's one thing that I do regret is the impact that it's triggered on so many people, and it's tough to have to deal with."
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When Watson was acquired from the Houston Texans on March 18, he faced 22 lawsuits which were filed against him in March and April 2021. Two more lawsuits have been filed since May 31, the first since he arrived in Cleveland. Watson has not been arrested or charged on any of the allegations, and two separate Houston-area grand juries have declined to indict him.
"I go each and every day focusing on my task and being the best person that I can be," Watson said. "I can't control what the other side is doing with the legal process. I just got to continue to focus on being the best Deshaun Watson that I can be for this organization."
The earliest that the cases may begin to be heard in Texas is next spring. Watson was asked about his concern about juries having to decide between his word and that of two-dozen women.
"I understand that question and I definitely respect it, but I feel like in this environment, coming off the football field, it's hard to answer that question, especially without talking to anybody on my legal team," Watson said. "At the same time, I've been honest and I've been truthful about my stance and that's I never forced anyone, I never assaulted anyone. I've been saying it from the beginning and I'm going to continue to do that until all the facts come out on the legal side."
The NFL has also been investigating Watson since the initial lawsuits were filed in 2021. He could face a potential suspension if it deems he was in violation of the league's personal conduct policy. There is no timetable for when the league will announce the results of its investigation.
Watson has been present throughout the Browns' voluntary offseason program. His only absences came while he was talking to NFL investigators. He has taken almost all of the first-team reps, both during the voluntary portion of the OTAs and during Tuesday's minicamp.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated on Tuesday there are no plans on changing that set-up as of now. He also stated that developments from the league office could change that approach.