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Browns’ Deshaun Watson apologizes ‘to all the women I have impacted’

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson apologized Friday “to all the ladies I’ve impacted” after being accused by two dozen ladies of sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage remedy periods.

Watson, who’s dealing with a possible year-long NFL suspension, spoke earlier than Cleveland’s exhibition opener in Jacksonville — his first recreation since Jan. 3, 2021, with the Houston Texans.

Watson was suspended six video games earlier this month by impartial arbiter Sue L. Robinson, who concluded he violated the league’s private conduct coverage with “egregious” and “predatory” habits.

As a part of her choice, the retired federal choose famous Watson’s lack of regret.

Watson was requested in a pregame interview with the workforce’s in-house TV crew Friday for his response to Robinson’s place that he hasn’t been contrite.

“Look, I need to say that I’m actually sorry to the entire ladies that I’ve impacted on this state of affairs,” Watson stated within the interview. “The choices that I made in my life that put me on this place I might undoubtedly wish to have again, however I need to proceed to maneuver ahead and develop and study and present that I’m a real individual of character and I’m going to maintain pushing ahead.”

That is the primary time Watson has publicly apologized for his alleged habits. In his two media interviews since becoming a member of the Browns in March, he had stated solely that he had “no regrets” whereas acknowledging his actions had negatively impacted “so many individuals.”

Watson had an uneventful debut, finishing simply 1 of 5 passes for 7 yards in three sequence earlier than being changed in Cleveland’s 24-13 win. Jacoby Brissett, who is predicted to start out throughout Watson’s suspension, didn’t play.

Watson was accused of sexually harassing or assaulting the ladies throughout the remedy periods in 2020 and 2021. He has at all times denied wrongdoing and grand juries in two Texas counties declined to indict him on prison complaints.

The three-time Professional Bowler settled 23 of 24 civil lawsuits.

Nevertheless, he’s nonetheless dealing with self-discipline from the league, which appealed Robinson’s penalty and is looking for a full-season ban together with a major tremendous over $5 million and for Watson to bear analysis and therapy earlier than he may very well be reinstated.

The enchantment is now with Peter C. Harvey, a former New Jersey legal professional normal appointed by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

There’s no timetable on Harvey’s choice. It’s additionally potential the edges may work out a settlement. On Thursday, an individual aware of Watson’s protection informed AP that the 26-year-old would comply with an eight-game suspension and $5 million fine.

The individual spoke on situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the high-profile case.

Watson has continued to apply and was enthusiastic about making his debut with Cleveland, which traded three-first-round picks to Houston for him in March and signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract.

Relying on Harvey’s ruling, Watson may very well be away from the Browns for an prolonged interval. He was requested what sort of private progress he hoped to make.

“I do know I’ve a whole lot of work to place in, particularly on the sector to have the ability to ensure that I’m able to play at any time when that point comes at any time when I can step again on the sector,” he stated. “But additionally, the largest factor is I need to proceed counseling and I need to ensure that I’m rising as an individual, as a person for my decision-making on and off the sector.

“I need to ensure that I’m simply evolving in the neighborhood as a lot as potential, and that’s for the Cleveland group, that’s the NFL group and past.”

If Watson is suspended indefinitely, he wouldn’t be capable to apply or play within the preseason so he was wanting ahead to dealing with the Jaguars.

“I’m tremendous excited,” he stated. “I’m excited to get on the market with my new teammates and go on the market and compete. Each snap, I need to ensure that I cherish that as a result of I’m undecided when the following time I’ll be capable to get on the market with these guys.”

Reporting by Related Press.


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