Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, will be suspended for 11 games and pay a record $5 million fine. Check it out here.
Deshaun Watson : Suspend | Chant | Fine | Contract
Derrick Deshaun Watson (born September 14, 1995) is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL).
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | September 14, 1995 Gainesville, Georgia |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Gainesville |
| College: | Clemson (2014–2016) |
| NFL Draft: | 2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12 |
He played college football at Clemson, where he led the team to a national championship in 2016. Watson was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
After having a productive rookie season cut short by injury, Watson guided the Texans to consecutive division titles in 2018 and 2019 and led the league in passing yards in 2020.
He also received Pro Bowl honors in each of his three seasons as Houston’s primary starter. He has the highest career completion percentage of all time (minimum 1,500 attempts), and is second in all-time career passer rating.
Deshaun Watson Suspend
Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, will be suspended for 11 games and pay a record $5 million fine after the N.F.L. appealed what many thought was a lenient six-game suspension for accusations by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct in massage appointments.
The league announced Thursday that Watson must undergo evaluation by behavioral experts, followed by a treatment program.
The fine, as well as an additional $1 million each from the league and the Browns, will be donated to groups that work to prevent sexual assault.
The penalties were the result of a settlement between Watson’s representatives from his legal team and the players’ union, and the N.F.L.
They are among the most severe in league history, and come as the league faces heightened scrutiny over its treatment of women and after backlash to the initial suspension handed down by an arbitrator earlier this month, which some said wasn’t harsh enough to be a deterrent and did not address the scope of accusations against Watson.
Chant
Deshaun Watson faced the wrath of fans in Florida as he suited up for the Cleveland Browns’ pre-season friendly against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville fans chanted “you sick f**k” at Watson in relation to the controversy surrounding him off the pitch.
Watson was given a six-game suspension after allegations of sexual assault, but featured in the pre-season game for his new franchise while the length of the ban is being appealed.
A video of the chant went viral on social media and NFL fans took to social media to demand that the quarterback be dished the same treatment in every game this season.
Another NFL fan tweeted that Watson will struggle for the rest of his career, especially during games in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Fine
Deshaun Watson has been fined $5m and suspended for 11 games after a settlement was reached between the NFL and the league’s players association over the quarterback’s future.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback was given a six-game suspension earlier this month by an independent adjudicator after allegations of sexual misconduct involving more than two dozen women.
The NFL wanted a longer suspension and lodged an appeal, with the league’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, saying the quarterback had displayed “predatory behavior”.
On Thursday, Goodell said he was satisfied Watson could return to the NFL after serving his suspension.
Contract
Deshaun Watson signed a 5 year, $230,000,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including a $44,965,000 signing bonus.
| Contract: | 5 yr(s) / $230,000,000 |
| Signing Bonus | $44,965,000 |
| Average Salary | $46,000,000 |
| Total Guarantees | $230,000,000 |
| Guaranteed at Signing | $230,000,000 |
| Free Agent: | 2027 / UFA |