Scandal-ridden NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson has been thrust back into the spotlight after suffering a season-ending injury, but the controversy surrounding him extends far beyond the field. Watson, who ruptured his Achilles tendon during the Cleveland Browns’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, has become something of a divisive figure both inside and outside the organization.
While some of his Browns teammates have rallied to his defense following fan reactions to his injury, others, like FS1’s Danny Parkins, have called for a more critical perspective.
In Sunday’s game, as Watson went down with his injury, some Cleveland fans were seen applauding, a reaction that sparked outrage from his teammates. Backup quarterback Jameis Winston and star defensive end Myles Garrett were quick to condemn the fans, defending Watson and expressing their disapproval of the crowd’s behavior. Winston described Watson as someone who “puts his life on the line” for the team, while Garrett referred to him as a “model citizen” during his time in college and most of his professional career.
However, as Parkins pointed out during Monday’s FS1 broadcast, this defense of Watson misses the broader context. Parkins took issue with the idea of Watson being portrayed as a victim or a martyr, given his troubled past. “We gotta not make Deshaun Watson into a victim here and a martyr like those guys were doing when there are actual victims in this story,” Parkins said, referring to the numerous women who have accused Watson of sexual misconduct.
While Parkins was careful to clarify that he understood why Winston and Garrett were upset about fans seemingly celebrating an injury, he pushed back against the way Watson’s teammates framed their support. Parkins argued that defending Watson as a noble figure disregards the seriousness of the allegations against him, which include over 20 accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, most of which were settled in civil court.
“Myles Garrett said Watson has ‘been a model citizen through college and most of the pros.’ But ‘most’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting there, because it hasn’t been all his time in the pros,” Parkins noted. He went on to criticize Winston’s remarks that Watson was “putting his life on the line,” dismissing it as hyperbole. “No, he isn’t. He’s playing football,” Parkins said, adding that such statements were out of place given Watson’s past behavior.
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Watson, who was traded to the Browns in 2022 in a blockbuster deal that saw Cleveland give up three first-round picks, has been a major disappointment both on and off the field. His play this season has been particularly abysmal, ranking 27th among NFL quarterbacks in passer rating while also leading the league in sacks taken—33 in total.
The Browns, who sit at 1-6, have struggled mightily, and many fans appear frustrated with Watson’s poor performance. According to Parkins, this frustration, rather than Watson’s off-field controversies, was likely the root cause of the boos and negative reactions from the Cleveland crowd on Sunday.
“The Browns fans are not happy with Deshaun Watson because he’s been the worst quarterback in football,” Parkins explained. “They are not taking some sort of moral stand against his indiscretions off the field. Make no mistake—this is a guy with 20-plus allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, and 20-plus settlements.”
Watson’s struggles, both as a player and as a person, have created a complicated dynamic for the Browns. The organization invested $230 million in Watson, making him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history, despite the serious allegations against him.
His tenure with the Browns has been marred by suspensions, fines, and underperformance on the field, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s decision to take such a massive gamble on him.
Further complicating matters, Watson is currently facing a new lawsuit in Texas from a Jane Doe who alleges that he sexually assaulted her during a massage session.
The lawsuit, which seeks $1 million in damages, claims that Watson “demanded” a massage of his buttocks before grabbing the woman and committing sexual assault. Watson has denied the allegation and insists he is focused solely on football.
“I need to focus on keeping the main thing the main thing,” Watson told reporters when asked if the lawsuit would be a distraction. However, with his season now over due to injury, the focus may shift even more toward his legal troubles.
In 2021, Watson faced 26 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault. Although he settled 23 of those cases, and the others are expected to go to trial, the scandal has continued to cast a shadow over his career.
While he avoided criminal charges, the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games in 2022 and fined him $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
As Parkins sees it, the controversy surrounding Watson is far from over.
The reactions from fans, players, and media reflect the complex legacy Watson is building in Cleveland—one marked by disappointment, legal troubles, and a struggle to find redemption both on and off the field.
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