Browns’ Deshaun Watson denies sexual assault claims in introductory presser: ‘I’ve never assaulted any woman’

Deshaun Watson repeatedly denied allegations of sexual assault leveled towards him by 22 ladies in his first press convention since being traded to the Cleveland Browns, including that he appears to be like ahead to clearing his identify “as soon as every little thing is resolved.”

Watson, 26, was joined by Browns’ basic supervisor Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski throughout his Friday introductory presser, the place the group fielded extra questions in regards to the course of behind pursuing a quarterback who not too long ago had 9 of 10 prison complaints towards him dismissed by a grand jury.

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“We as a company know that this transaction has been very troublesome for many individuals, significantly ladies in our group, and we understand that it has triggered a spread of feelings, that in addition to the character of the allegations, weighed closely on all of us,” Berry opened the convention by saying. 

“It was actually by this five-month odyssey and the knowledge we have been capable of amass, the reference work, and clearly working by due course of and the authorized course of, that received us snug pursuing a commerce for Deshaun.”

Berry defined that the Browns solely determined to maneuver ahead with the commerce after feeling “snug” with who Watson was as an individual, utilizing “unbiased investigative assets” to get a “complete perspective” on all of the instances. 

“We’re not naive to the truth that there are people who find themselves not as snug with this transaction as we’re in the present day however that is one thing, a commerce that we made to be evaluated over the long term.”

Watson answered a number of questions in regards to the validity of these allegations and repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. 

“I perceive the entire circumstance could be very troublesome, particularly for the ladies’s aspect – the followers on this group. I’m not naive to that,” he stated of the criticism his commerce has drawn. “I do know these allegations are very, very critical however like I discussed earlier than, I’ve by no means assaulted any lady. I by no means disrespected any lady. I used to be raised by a single dad or mum mother … that’s who raised me.”

Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks throughout a information convention on the NFL soccer crew’s coaching facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. 
(AP Photograph/Ron Schwane)

He continued: “I used to be raised to be real and respect anybody and every little thing round me. So I’ve all the time defended that and I’ll proceed to face on that and I simply need the chance to have the ability to actually present who I’m locally and be hands-on and assist individuals and serve different individuals.”

Watson was requested in regards to the quantity of allegations leveled towards him and in the event that they have been all flawed. 

“I can’t communicate on what individuals’s opinions are, as a result of everybody has their very own opinions,” he responded, “however what I can proceed to do is inform the reality and that’s I’ve by no means assaulted or disrespected or harassed any ladies in my life. Like I stated earlier than, I used to be raised otherwise. That’s not in my DNA, that’s not my tradition. That’s not me as an individual and that’s not how I used to be raised.”

The previous Houston Texans quarterback spoke repeatedly about his purpose to present again and work with the group of Cleveland which prompted one reporter to ask is he had plans of particularly working with ladies’s teams. 

Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans in motion towards the Tennessee Titans throughout a sport at NRG Stadium on Jan. 3, 2021 in Houston, Texas.
(Carmen Mandato/Getty Photographs)

“I’ve to earn that belief, to be trustworthy. I’ve to earn their belief again.” 

When requested if he could be open to counseling, Watson stated: “I don’t have an issue. I don’t have a difficulty and that’s what I have been saying from the start.” 

Watson understands the implications of such allegations and informed reporters he’ll proceed to do what is critical to clear his identify.

“I do know that there’s going to be a stain that’s most likely going to stay with me for some time however all I can do is maintain transferring ahead and proceed to indicate the individual that I’m, the true character, the true particular person, the true human being I’m. Like I stated earlier than, I’ve by no means finished the issues these individuals are alleging and I’m going to proceed to struggle for my identify and clear my identify.” 

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson celebrates a landing throughout the crew’s NFL soccer sport towards the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 20, 2020, in Indianapolis.
(AP Photograph/Zach Bolinger, File)

A second grand jury in Texas declined to indict Watson on prison fees over sexual assault allegations this week, however the NFL remains to be conducting its personal investigation. When requested if the Browns had any indication that Watson may very well be suspended, Berry stated the crew would proceed to work with the league. 

“We’ve had an open line of communication with the NFL and we’ll cooperate with the investigation as applicable. They’ve their very own course of that they must work by and, like I discussed, we’ll cooperate with that. We’ll work with them once they render their choice. We clearly will respect it.”