Deshaun Watson maintained his innocence and strongly denied committing any sexual misconduct regardless of allegations made by 22 ladies towards the Cleveland Browns’ new beginning quarterback.
Carrying a darkish pinstriped swimsuit and orange tie at his introductory information convention on Friday, Watson confirmed little emotion whereas saying he’s completed nothing unlawful.
“I’ve by no means assaulted or disrespected or harassed a girl in my life,” Watson mentioned, flanked on the dais by Browns normal supervisor Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski. “That’s not how I used to be raised. I’ve by no means completed these items individuals are alleging.”
Berry defended the staff’s controversial choice to commerce for Watson, who has been accused by two dozen therapeutic massage therapists of assorted sexual exercise throughout personal periods. He has at all times claimed any intercourse was consensual.
“We as a corporation know that this transaction has been very tough for many individuals, significantly ladies in our neighborhood,” Berry mentioned. “We understand that it has triggered a spread of feelings. And that, in addition to the character of the allegations, weighed closely on all of us.
“It was due to the load of the anticipated response and the character of the allegations that actually pushed us to do as a lot work as doable internally and externally when it comes to understanding the circumstances and who Deshaun was as an individual.
“We do have religion and confidence in Deshaun as an individual.”
Watson dismissed needing counseling as a result of he feels he’s been falsely accused.
“I don’t have an issue,” he mentioned. “I don’t have a problem.”
Whereas Watson hasn’t been indicted by two grand juries in Texas on prison fees, he’s nonetheless going through civil lawsuits. He has no intention of settling the lawsuits and that his solely purpose “is to clear my title.”
Berry described the Browns’ investigation as “a five-month odyssey” that resulted within the staff feeling comfy sufficient with Watson as an individual to commerce for him — and in extension make him the face of their franchise.
The Browns lured Watson to Cleveland with a record-setting $230 million, totally assured contract, which features a $1 million base wage within the first season within the occasion he’s suspended by the NFL.
The league has an ongoing investigation into his conduct and whether or not he violated the non-public conduct coverage.
Watson mentioned the Browns’ contract had nothing to do with him waiving his no-trade clause to return to Cleveland.
The Browns traded three first-round draft picks and 6 picks total to Houston for Watson.
On Thursday, a second grand jury in Texas decided not to indict Watson on one of many unique prison complaints of sexual misconduct. Watson being cleared by one other grand jury had triggered his pursuit by the Browns and several other different groups hoping to signal the three-time Professional Bowler.
