Deshaun Watson began mandatory counseling sessions
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has already started a league-mandated counseling program. According to Peter King of ProFootballTalk.com, while Watson claims he did nothing wrong, he is taking counseling sessions.
Watson has begun the league-mandate counseling, a source told me. My sense is the Browns hope that at some point Watson will understand what he either doesn’t understand or a denial he has been continually fed by his enablers—that he did nothing wrong. Very likely, the Browns believe counseling can help Watson get to the bottom of why he sought treatment from 66 massage therapists in 18 months, per the New York Times. That he has begun the counseling is a step in the right direction.
King went on to say that the NFL really wanted the Deshaun Watson saga to end. They did not want this to get to court, so they were glad with the 11 game suspension and the 5 million dollar fine, because if Watson would have been suspended the entire year he would have went to court to fight it and no one wants to go to court.
Many fans are pissed at Deshaun Watson for flip/flopping his apology, but what are you going to do?
Watson issued a statement when the settlement was announced saying, “I take accountability for the decisions I made.” Shortly thereafter, before the press, he said, “I’ve always stood on my innocence … I never assaulted anyone or disrespected anyone.”
At the end of the day, Watson has to sleep in the bed he makes. Hopefully the counselling sessions can get to the bottom of him going to massage therapists, and he can just play football.
Beginning in 2021, Watson has been sued by more than two dozen female massage therapists accusing him of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Watson has denied any wrongdoing despite settling 20 claims of sexual misconduct. Disagreements with the Texans’ front office and multiple sexual-misconduct lawsuits kept Watson out for the entire 2021 season and eventually led to a trade to the Cleveland Browns.
In March 2022, Watson signed a five year contract worth $230 million, one of the most expensive contracts in NFL history.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com