On Friday, before the Cleveland Browns preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, quarterback Deshaun Watson offered an apology of sorts to the 24 women who accused him of sexual assault and sexual misconduct.
Watson was speaking with Aditi Kinkhabwala on the Browns Countdown pregame show when he appeared to admit that he was at fault for the allegations and that he was “truly sorry.”
Deshaun spoke with Aditi Kinkhabwala ahead of starting tonight's game in Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/9kuHxI9ULh
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 12, 2022
“Your eligibility is still in question,” said Kinkhabwala. “And although this appeal is ongoing, I have to ask you: “The initial ruling from Judge Sue. Robinson made a very specific point of saying that your lack of remorse played into her decision-making. It’s been part of the narrative surrounding you. What is your response to that?”
“Look, I want to say that I’m truly sorry to all of the women that I have impacted in this situation,” said Watson. “The decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to have back, but I want to continue to move forward and grow and learn and show that I am a true person of character and I am going to keep pushing forward.”
Watson has been suspended for the first six games of the 2022 NFL season. However, the NFL is currently appealing that decision and is said to want a much longer suspension. Meanwhile, Watson has reportedly said he would accept an eight-game suspension if that helped close the circle on this dark drama.
While he awaits the next steps in his suspension drama, the NFL world had some strong reactions to Watson’s comments on Friday night. Many people either didn’t believe that Watson was actually remorseful or they felt that it was simply part of a way to ensure the NFL would accept an eight-game appeal decision and put the issue to bed.
Watson: "I don't have any regrets"
Watson, when learning his lack of remorse may lead to a longer suspension: "I'm truly sorry to all the women"
its super easy to see right through this "apology" when realizing the context of when it was said & where the case currently stands https://t.co/cHvlQ9BEh5
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 12, 2022
Everything about this feels scripted by lawyers, team execs and crisis comms folks to try to grease the wheels of a settlement with the NFL. https://t.co/EmkPTFHFq6
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) August 12, 2022
Deshaun Watson is obviously aware of the likelihood that a significant suspension is coming.
He knows that showing remorse and admitting guilt is one possible way to receive a lesser punishment.
Shame he waited this long to admit. Too little, too late.pic.twitter.com/fBa3osn582
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 12, 2022
2nd answer is certainly a departure from his steadfast denial of any wrongdoing & previous claims he didn't regret anything. Guessing it's a calculated move by the Browns/his team after new women came forward when angered by his comments, and after the judge's note about remorse. https://t.co/iJrhaXeULr
— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) August 12, 2022
Video here of Watson's staged apology. https://t.co/apxlzd06Et
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) August 12, 2022
The apology might help Watson with the NFL but it doesn’t seem to have done much in the court of public opinion.
