Deshaun Watson now says he's sorry for the conduct termed 'egregious' and 'predatory' by the NFL.
Deshaun Watson: ‘I’m truly sorry to all of the women I have impacted in this situation’
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
JACKSONVILLE, FL
For the first time, Deshaun Watson is expressing remorse publicly for conduct towards female massage therapists that the NFL has termed “non-violent sexual assault.”
The question is whether it’s too little too late.
Everyone connected with the NFL investigation of Watson cited Watson’s lack of remorse for what they described as “egregious” and “predatory” conduct as a contributing factor for the league’s desire for an indefinite suspension of the Browns’ quarterback.
That lack of remorse also intensified the legal battle waged by the victims. Twenty-four filed civil lawsuits against Watson; 23 have since been settled.
In an interview with Aditi Kinkhabwala aired on Browns Countdown pregame show on News 5 prior to the Browns’ preseason game in Jacksonville, Watson responded to the remorse issue. The interview was conducted in the team’s hotel prior to departure to TIAA Bank Stadium.
“Look, I want to say that I’m truly sorry to all of the women that I have impacted in this situation,” Watson said. “The decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to have back, but I want to continue to move forward and grow and learn and show that I am a true person of character and I am going to keep pushing forward.”
In her report, NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson wrote that Watson’s violations of the personal conduct policy deserved three games suspension based on NFL precedent. She doubled it to six games, citing “his lack of expressed remorse” as an aggravating factor.
That wasn’t enough for the NFL. Last week, Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was appealing the penalty, per provisions in the collectively-bargained personal conduct policy, and pushing for an indefinite suspension with a minimum of one year.
The appeal is being heard by Goodell-appointee Peter C. Harvey, a former New Jersey attorney general.
There have been reports of settlement talks between Watson’s legal team and the NFL. One thing is certain: Watson will serve a six-game suspension at the very minimum.
“I know I have a lot of work to put in, especially on the field to be able to make sure I’m ready to play whenever that time comes whenever I can step back on the field, but also, the biggest thing is I want to continue counseling and I want to make sure that I’m growing as a person, as an individual for my decision making on and off the field,” Watson said. “I want to make sure that I’m just evolving in the community as much as possible, and that is for the Cleveland community, that is the NFL community and beyond.”
The lack of a ruling by Harvey enabled Watson to remain eligible for Friday night’s game. Coach Kevin Stefanski made Watson the starting quarterback, realizing it could be the last time Watson wears a uniform this year. An indefinite suspension would banish him from the auspices of the Browns for at least a year.
The game in Jacksonville was Watson’s first in 19 months because he did not play at all – even in preseason – for the Houston Texans.
“I’m super excited,” Watson said in the pre-game interview. “I’m excited to get out there with my new teammates and go out there and compete. Each and every snap, I want to make sure I cherish that because I’m not sure when the next time I’ll be able to get out there with those guys so I’m super excited.”
