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sports Monday 21 March 2022
Deshaun Watson trade done, Browns defend decision to add QB

By TOM WITHERS future. The 26-year-old was for days. The Browns are still
AP Sports Writer also courted by Atlanta, working on plans for a pos-
Deshaun Watson’s compli- Carolina and New Orleans. sible news conference.
cated past didn’t dissuade The Browns came away Now that the trade is com-
the Cleveland Browns from satisfied with Watson’s plete, Watson and the
betting on the quarter- character. Browns are facing tough
back’s future. “He was humble, sincere questions about their new
He is on Cleveland’s roster, and candid,” the Haslams partnership.
and at this point that is the said. “In our conversations, For Watson, Cleveland rep-
only certainty with the tal- Deshaun detailed his com- resents a fresh start.
ented yet controversial QB. mitment to leading our For the Browns, he brings
Watson’s stunning trade team; he understands and hope along with criticism.
to the Browns became of- embraces the hard work While they become an in-
ficial Sunday, capping a needed to build his name stant possible Super Bowl
whirlwind few days during both in the community contender following anoth-
in which the three-time Pro and on the field. ... We are er disappointing season, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) practices with the team
Bowler — accused by 22 confident in Deshaun and the Browns are also being during NFL football practice, Aug. 2, 2021, in Houston. Watson’s
women of sexual harass- excited about moving for- condemned for taking a complicated past didn’t dissuade the Cleveland Browns from
ment or assault — agreed ward with him as our quar- player with ongoing legal betting on the quarterback’s future. Associated Press
to come to Cleveland af- terback and supporting his issues. Nearly two dozen
ter initially telling the team genuine and determined female massage therapists es, but the civil cases are dependent investigation
he wouldn’t. efforts.” have alleged he assaulted pending — as is his return to about his behavior. Based
The Browns are taking heat It’s still not known when them during rehab sessions. the field. on precedent, the league
for bringing in Watson with Watson will be in Cleve- A grand jury in Texas re- Watson may face disci- could suspend him multiple
his legal baggage, but the land, where fans have cently declined to indict plinary action by the NFL, games for violating its per-
team feels comfortable been debating the trade Watson on criminal charg- which is conducting an in- sonal conduct policy.q
with its decision.
“We spent a tremendous
amount of time exploring
and investigating the op-
portunity to trade for De-
shaun Watson,” Browns
owners Dee and Jimmy
Haslam said in a team
news release. “We are
acutely aware and em-
pathetic to the highly per-
sonal sentiments expressed
about this decision. Our
team’s comprehensive
evaluation process was of
utmost importance due to
the sensitive nature of his
situation and the complex
factors involved.
“We also understand there
are still some legal pro-
ceedings that are ongoing
and we will respect due
process.”
Desperate to win, the
Browns have gone all in for
Watson, sending first-round
picks the next three sea-
sons to Houston along with
a 2023 third-rounder and
2024 fourth-rounder. The
Texans will part with Wat-
son and a 2024 fifth-round
pick.
Cleveland is also giving
Watson, who is still facing
civil lawsuits, public scorn
and possible NFL discipline,
a fully guaranteed $230
million contract.
Last week, the Haslams
flew to Houston with gener-
al manager Andrew Berry
and coach Kevin Stefan-
ski and met with Watson
to discuss his situation and