New Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson addressed fans of the team for the first time on Friday after a second grand jury in Texas declined to indict him on criminal sexual misconduct charges.
Watson told female fans of the Browns who protested Watson’s trade from the Houston Texans that he understood the seriousness of the allegations against him even as he maintains he did nothing wrong.
“I understand the whole circumstances is very difficult, especially for the women side of the fans in this community,” Watson said at a press conference. “I’m not naive to that. I know these allegations are very, very serious, but like I mentioned before, I never assaulted any woman. I never disrespected any woman.”
Watson, 26, has been accused by more than 20 women of inappropriate contact and exposing himself during massage appointments. Watson has faced lawsuits as well as possible criminal charges. On Thursday, a second grand jury in Texas declined to indict him. Watson has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, and his lawyers have said there was some sexual activity but that none of it was coerced.
GRAND JURY DECLINES TO INDICT TEXANS QB DESHAUN WATSON ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CHARGES
Jimmy and Dee Haslam, the owners of the Browns, assured fans that they had conducted their own investigation into the sexual assault claims before announcing the trade last week.
“We are acutely aware and empathetic to the highly personal sentiments expressed about this decision,” the owners said in a statement obtained by ESPN. “Our team’s comprehensive evaluation process was of utmost importance due to the sensitive nature of his situation and the complex factors involved. We also understand there are still some legal proceedings that are ongoing and we will respect due process.”
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The Browns traded three first-round picks, an additional three draft picks, and a five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed in order to acquire Watson from Houston.
The NFL is still conducting its own investigations into the allegations and could suspend Watson for the first six games of the 2022 season if it believes he breached the code of conduct for sexual assault.
