Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson expressed mixed feelings about his interactions with fans after addressing comments made during a press conference on Monday. Previously, Watson had faced boos from fans during a preseason game on Saturday, leading to his remarks.
On Monday, Watson shared his thoughts after being named the starting quarterback that morning. He acknowledged the backlash from fans, admitting it might not be best to criticize them even if they expressed displeasure during the game.
Watson stated, “First off, I want to address the comments from Saturday after the game. I think just human nature and myself being very emotional, putting a lot of time these last two years to get back, spend time in this facility, in the city, meeting a lot of different people in the community, I thought I was going to get a little different response.” He emphasized that his previous comments were not meant to criticize the fans.
He added, “There’s been a lot of great fans supporting me. I understand the frustration. This organization invested a lot in getting me back in ’22, and things haven’t gone the way we expected.” Watson expressed regret about how he expressed his feelings on the matter.
He had previously commented about receiving more support during road games and joked about potentially playing “17 away games.” This statement reflected his feeling of a lack of support at home games.
Watson’s challenges in Cleveland are multifaceted. He joined with a background tainted by lawsuits concerning sexual misconduct with massage therapists in Houston. These allegations led to an 11-game suspension and a fine. Subsequent injuries, including shoulder and Achilles tendon injuries, significantly sidelined him over the years.
Despite these issues, Watson remains a significant investment for the Browns, involving a trade that included six draft picks and a guaranteed contract worth $230 million. Watson acknowledged understanding why fans might react negatively given the circumstances.
Going forward, Watson emphasized focusing on his performance. “I want to focus on football, making sure that I’m putting the best product out there, having the best ability because I thrive off the energy,” he said. He hopes to deliver results that benefit the team and city, aiming to celebrate victories and put Cleveland in the spotlight.
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