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Deshaun Watson reports to Browns for first offseason program

(AP) — Deshaun Watson Browns in their pursuit be- from the NFL, which is in-
walked through snow on fore changing his mind was vestigating whether he vio-
the way to his first day of because of Northeast Ohio’s lated the league’s personal-
work with the Browns. frigid, wintry weather. conduct policy. It’s possible
Baker Mayfield was no- he’ll be suspended for part of
where in sight. Watson lost the one game the 2022 season.
he played in Cleveland with
Watson reported to Cleve- the Texans as howling winds The three-time Pro Bowl
land’s offseason program made it almost impossible to QB has professed his inno-
Tuesday to restart his career throw. cence. Two grand juries in
with the Browns, who mort- Texas have declined to indict
gaged their short-term future He’ll have months to accli- him on any criminal charges.
by acquiring the controver- mate. However, Watson is still deal-
sial quarterback accused of ing with the civil lawsuits and
sexual misconduct in a trade The Browns convinced Wat- has been giving depositions
last month. son to join him and then in recent weeks.
traded three first-round draft Browns, who are looking to
With temperatures in the 30s picks and six selections over- The Browns did their own trade the former No. 1 over- The team’s pursuit of Watson
and late-spring snow falling, all in March to Houston for background check on Wat- all pick but are finding a lim- rankled Mayfield, who asked
the former Houston QB ar- the 26-year-old, who faces son, and owners Dee and ited market, partly due to his to be traded.
rived at the team’s facility in 22 civil lawsuits from wom- Jimmy Haslam felt so confi- $18.8 million contract for
Berea, Ohio. The Browns en accusing him of sexual dent in the research — and next season. Last week, Mayfield said the
posted a photo on Twitter of misconduct during massage after personally meeting with team’s front office wasn’t
Watson, wearing a heavy win- therapy sessions. Watson — that they signed Mayfield was not at the truthful with him in explain-
ter jacket, before he entered him to a fully guaranteed team’s offseason program ing their offseason plans.
the building. Browns coach Kevin Stefan- $230 million contract after he as he continues to rehab his Mayfield said he felt “disre-
ski is scheduled to meet with waived his no-trade clause to surgically repaired left shoul- spected” by the team and was
One of the reasons the three- reporters Wednesday. Watson come to Cleveland. der. Mayfield got hurt in the looking forward to reviving
time Pro Bowler and Geor- is not expected to take any re- Browns’ second game and his his career elsewhere.
gia native, who played at porter’s questions. The move for Watson ef- struggles throughout an 8-9
Clemson in South Carolina, fectively ended Mayfield’s season convinced the team to At this point, that place is un-
initially turned down the Watson also faces discipline four-run year run with the look for another quarterback. known.

Griner’s ordeal in Russia weighs on minds of teammates

(AP) — While the prac- rived from cannabis, which Griner’s situation — being nitely miss her, but it’s not earn another $1 million to
tice facility for the WN- could carry a maximum pen- played out on a diplomatic even about basketball any- $1.5 million.
BA’s Phoenix Mercury alty of 10 years in prison. stage rather than a basket- more. We just want her to be
was filled with laughter ball court — has made things well as a human being. She Nygaard hopes those fi-
and the echoes of bounc- “We’ve just got to keep pray- even more difficult. has a big stage, a lot of people nancial disparities will soon
ing basketballs during the ing for her,” Mercury team- know her, so we want her to come to an end.
team’s preseason work- mate Sophie Cunningham Taurasi and Cunningham be on the court.
out, there was no denying said. “We hope she’s well. want to show their support “I see people all the time,
the presence and spirit of That’s all we know, you guys — verbal and otherwise — “Everyone who loves her just they’re like ‘Man, I can’t be-
6-foot-9 center Brittney know as much as we do. No but realize their words carry wants her to be home safe.” lieve they don’t pay those
Griner was missing. one wants to be in her situa- weight. Nobody wants to say WNBA players. I can’t be-
tion. We miss her like crazy.” anything that could poten- Griner, one of many top lieve they’re underpaid,’”
“I definitely wake up in the tially complicate the situa- WNBA players who play in Nygaard said. “Well, when
middle of the night some- The two-time Olympic gold tion. Russia during the league’s was the last time you bought
times, worrying about BG,” medalist recently had her de- offseason, was returning to season tickets? When is the
first-year Mercury coach tention extended to May 19. “I spent 10 years there, so I the country after the Russian last time you bought gear for
Vanessa Nygaard said. know the way things work,” League took a break for the WNBA?
Her arrest came at a time of Taurasi said. “It’s delicate.” FIBA World Cup qualifying
“BG” is one of the nick- heightened political tensions tournament. “If people seriously care
names for Griner, who re- over Ukraine. Since then, Griner’s ordeal continues as about keeping our athletes
mains in Russia after being Russia has invaded Ukraine WNBA teams opened pre- Her detainment in Russia over here and making sure
detained following her arrival and remains at war. season camp Sunday and has highlighted why many female athletes are paid at a
at a Moscow airport in mid- Monday. The WNBA also is top U.S. women’s basket- higher rate, then they need to
February. Russian authorities Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi, taking a cautious approach in ball players feel the need to put their dollars behind our
said a search of her luggage who also has played in Rus- its support of Griner, though go overseas to supplement league. Support us.”
revealed vape cartridges that sia, said Monday afternoon Commissioner Kathy En- their income. WNBA salaries
allegedly contained oil de- that the sensitive nature of gelbert said there will be a have risen in recent years, Griner is not the only Ameri-
league-wide charity initiative but there’s still ample finan- can detained in Russia. Ma-
spearheaded by the Mercury cial incentive to play in other rine veteran Trevor Reed
to support Griner’s philan- countries during the offsea- was sentenced to nine years
thropic project, called BG’s son. in prison in 2020 on charges
Heart and Sole Shoe Drive. alleging that he assaulted po-
In the early 2000s, top WNBA lice officers in Moscow. And
Cunningham stressed her players could boost their in- Michigan corporate secu-
concerns are about Griner comes to about $125,000 by rity executive Paul Whelan
the person and not about entering a marketing deal is serving a 16-year sentence
how the situation affects the with the league. Today, elite on espionage charges that his
Mercury’s season. players can take home about family and the U.S. govern-
$500,000 with their salaries, ment have said are false. U.S.
“It’s BG, there’s no one like bonuses and WNBA mar- officials have publicly called
her in the whole world,” keting contracts. By playing for Moscow to release them.
Cunningham said. “We defi- in Russia, however, they can