Abuse and millions: Deshaun Watson, 27, is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, but also one of the most controversial. Now, after eleven games, he is making his comeback in the strongest league in the world – against his former team of all things.
Record contract despite more than two dozen abuse allegations, hopefuls of a football team despite eleven games suspension: Deshaun Watson's comeback as a professional in the National Football League on Sunday is not a normal return of a top athlete. Forced sexual acts, obscene sums in the millions, incredible athletic talent - the 27-year-old has far too much going on.
Meanwhile, Watson looks casually and confidently at the camera through the grille of his helmet in a photo on social media, a white “4” is emblazoned on the brown and orange jersey – he looks absolutely ready. Under the star quarterback's most recent Instagram post, his followers roll over in anticipation. "The return," write some and: "Let the reparations begin!"
Because the 55th game of his career is not only the first in the jersey of the Cleveland Browns, but also immediately a duel with his former team, the Houston Texans, 700 days after his last appearance. And there, in Texas, according to their lawyer, about 10 of the 25 women who sued him want to come to the stadium and make sure they are not forgotten. An explosive mixture and, all in all, enormous pressure for Watson, who, despite all the allegations, was given a record NFL contract by the Browns. $230 million over five years, every penny guaranteed even in the event of injury or suspension.
"We've waited a long time for him to come back," said running back Nick Chubb on Wednesday, reporting on the atmosphere of anticipation in the team. With four wins and seven losses in the games without Watson, playoff hopes are minimal. However, the circumstances are anything but ideal, after all, the lack of match practice for almost two years is also very practical in addition to the psychological aspects - this is probably one of the reasons why Watson himself was silent and avoided the usual exchange of the starting eleven around this season at this date -Quarterbacks with the US journalists.
Instead, according to the information, he hid in the cabin behind thick headphones and apparently busy with his smartphone and did not act as long as the journalists, as is usual in US sports, had access. Asked why, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski referred the press office. It was clear to everyone anyway: Watson wants his peace as long as he can. The coach himself says succinctly: "We are happy that Deshaun can play for us".
This, however, happens to Jacoby Brissett's chagrin. The backup quarterback has had a solid season so far, but is now moving back into the second tier. Apparently no problem for the team. "He's special," Watson running back Nick Chubb enthused. "He puts the ball exactly where he wants it. The boys like it. The boys love it."
The NFL sentenced him to an 11-game ban, a $5 million fine and therapy, despite two Texas juries not finding a criminal charge. In civil terms, 23 of the cases have now been compared with the women whom Watson is said to have booked for massages and then abused with touching, undressing and sexual acts. When he last spoke to the press three months ago, he insisted, as before, that he had done nothing wrong.
From a purely sporting point of view, Sunday will show whether Watson is still the player who was one of the most dangerous and best quarterbacks in the league during his years with the Texans. And then wanted to force a change because the chances of success in Houston were not good enough for him. The excitement about the claim and all the rumors of a change were eventually overshadowed by the rapidly increasing number of lawsuits. Even if NFL boss Roger Goodell would have liked to ban him longer, Watson did not become persona non grata in the league. The Browns weren't the only team looking to sign him.
