BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson maintained his innocence and strongly denied committing any sexual misconduct regardless of allegations made by 22 girls towards the Cleveland Browns’ new beginning quarterback.
Sporting a darkish pinstriped swimsuit and orange tie at his introductory information convention on Friday, Watson confirmed little emotion whereas saying he’s executed nothing unlawful.
“I’ve by no means assaulted or disrespected or harassed a lady in my life,” Watson mentioned, flanked on the dais contained in the workforce’s headquarters by Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski. “That’s not how I used to be raised. I’ve by no means executed this stuff persons are alleging.”
It was the primary time Watson has answered direct questions in regards to the allegations, which first surfaced in March 2021. Watson didn’t play final season for the Houston Texans because the circumstances mounted.
For practically 40 minutes, Watson was requested about his character, the fees towards him and the way he’ll try and rebuild his picture. He is aware of there are individuals who won’t ever consider him.
“I do know that there’s going to be a stain that most likely goes to stay with me for awhile, however all I can do is preserve shifting ahead and to proceed to indicate the individual that I’m, the true character, the true particular person, the true human being I’m,” the 26-year-old mentioned.
“I by no means executed the issues that these persons are alleging and I’m going to proceed to struggle for my title and clear my title and like I’ve been doing, simply cooperate with every thing that comes with it.”
Berry defended the workforce’s controversial choice to commerce for Watson, who has been accused by two dozen therapeutic massage therapists of varied undesirable sexual exercise throughout non-public periods. He has all the time claimed any intercourse was consensual.
“We as a company know that this transaction has been very tough for many individuals, notably girls in our neighborhood,” Berry mentioned. “We notice that it has triggered a variety of feelings. And that, in addition to the character of the allegations, weighed closely on all of us.
“It was due to the load of the anticipated response and the character of the allegations that basically pushed us to do as a lot work as attainable internally and externally by way of understanding the circumstances and who Deshaun was as an individual.
“We do have religion and confidence in Deshaun as an individual.”
Watson dismissed needing counseling as a result of he feels he’s been falsely accused.
“I don’t have an issue,” he mentioned. “I don’t have a difficulty.”
Whereas Watson hasn’t been indicted by two grand juries in Texas on legal fees, he’s nonetheless going through civil lawsuits. He has no intention of settling the lawsuits and that his solely purpose “is to clear my title.”
Berry described the Browns’ unbiased investigation as “a five-month odyssey” that resulted within the workforce feeling snug sufficient with Watson as an individual to commerce for him — and in extension make him the face of their franchise.
Given the intense accusations and ongoing authorized issues, the Browns have been criticized for his or her pursuit and signing of Watson. Berry mentioned the workforce was suggested by its attorneys to not attain out to any of the 22 girls as a result of it may intervene with the legal investigation.
Berry paused for a number of seconds earlier than addressing the issues of some followers, who’ve mentioned they are going to now not help the Browns due to Watson.
“We completely respect and we completely empathize with these sentiments proper now and completely perceive that there are people who find themselves not snug with the transaction proper now,” he mentioned. “However once more, we adopted our data, we be ok with Deshaun as an individual and we expect that he’s going to do a whole lot of constructive in the neighborhood.”
The Browns lured Watson to Cleveland with a record-setting $230 million, absolutely assured contract, which features a $1 million base wage within the first season within the occasion he’s suspended by the NFL.
The league has an ongoing investigation into his habits and whether or not he violated the private conduct coverage.
Watson mentioned the Browns’ contract had nothing to do with him waiving his no-trade clause to come back to Cleveland.
The Browns traded three first-round draft picks and 6 picks total to Houston for Watson.
On Thursday, a second grand jury in Texas determined to not indict Watson on one of many unique legal complaints of sexual misconduct. Watson being cleared by one other grand jury had triggered his pursuit by the Browns and several other different groups hoping to signal the three-time Professional Bowler.
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