BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson maintained his innocence and strongly denied committing any sexual misconduct in spite of allegations made through 22 girls in opposition to the Cleveland Browns’ new beginning quarterback.
Dressed in a dismal pinstriped go well with and orange tie at his introductory information convention on Friday, Watson confirmed little emotion whilst announcing he’s performed not anything unlawful.
“I’ve by no means assaulted or disrespected or pressured a girl in my lifestyles,” Watson stated, flanked on the dais throughout the workforce’s headquarters through Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry and trainer Kevin Stefanski. “That’s now not how I used to be raised. I’ve by no means performed these items persons are alleging.”
It was once the primary time Watson has spoke back 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 instances fastened.
For just about 40 mins, Watson was once requested about his personality, the costs in opposition to him and the way he’ll try to rebuild his symbol. 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 almost definitely goes to stay with me for awhile, however all I will be able to do is stay shifting ahead and to proceed to turn the individual that I’m, the actual personality, the actual individual, the actual human being I’m,” the 26-year-old stated.
“I by no means performed the issues that those persons are alleging and I’m going to proceed to combat for my title and transparent my title and prefer I’ve been doing, simply cooperate with the whole lot that incorporates it.”
Berry defended the workforce’s arguable determination to commerce for Watson, who has been accused through two dozen therapeutic massage therapists of quite a lot of undesirable sexual job all over personal periods. He has at all times claimed any intercourse was once consensual.
“We as a company know that this transaction has been very tricky for many of us, in particular girls in our group,” Berry stated. “We understand that it has prompted a variety of feelings. And that, in addition to the character of the allegations, weighed closely on all folks.
“It was once as a result of the burden of the expected response and the character of the allegations that in reality driven us to do as a lot paintings as conceivable internally and externally with regards to figuring out the instances and who Deshaun was once as an individual.
“We do have religion and self belief in Deshaun as an individual.”
Watson pushed aside wanting counseling as a result of he feels he’s been falsely accused.
“I don’t have an issue,” he stated. “I don’t have a subject matter.”
Whilst Watson hasn’t been indicted through two grand juries in Texas on legal fees, he’s nonetheless dealing with civil court cases. He has no aim of settling the court cases and that his best objective “is to transparent my title.”
Berry described the Browns’ unbiased investigation as “a five-month odyssey” that resulted within the workforce feeling relaxed sufficient with Watson as an individual to commerce for him — and in extension make him the face in their franchise.
Given the intense accusations and ongoing prison issues, the Browns had been criticized for his or her pursuit and signing of Watson. Berry stated the workforce was once recommended through its legal professionals now not to achieve out to any of the 22 girls as a result of it might intrude with the legal investigation.
Berry paused for a number of seconds sooner than addressing the troubles of a few enthusiasts, who’ve stated they’ll not reinforce the Browns as a result of Watson.
“We completely recognize and we completely empathize with the ones sentiments at this time and completely remember that there are individuals who don’t seem to be happy with the transaction at this time,” he stated. “However once more, we adopted our data, we be ok with Deshaun as an individual and we predict that he’s going to do a large number of certain in the neighborhood.”
The Browns lured Watson to Cleveland with a record-setting $230 million, absolutely assured contract, which incorporates a $1 million base wage within the first season within the match he’s suspended through the NFL.
The league has an ongoing investigation into his conduct and whether or not he violated the private behavior coverage.
Watson stated the Browns’ contract had not anything to do with him waiving his no-trade clause to come back to Cleveland.
The Browns traded 3 first-round draft alternatives and 6 alternatives general to Houston for Watson.
On Thursday, a 2d grand jury in Texas made up our minds to not indict Watson on one of the vital unique legal court cases of sexual misconduct. Watson being cleared through any other grand jury had prompted his pursuit through the Browns and several other different groups hoping to signal the three-time Professional Bowler.
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