Hours before the start of his first preseason game with the Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson issued his first apology to the women he allegedly sexually harassed and assaulted while playing for the Houston Texans.
Watson’s apology came nine days after the NFL announced it was appealing his six-game suspension for sexual conduct handed down by former federal judge Sue L. Robinson, with the league seeking a season-long suspension or a shorter suspension with a significant fine.
The appeal is now in the hands of former New Jersey Attorney General Peter S. Harvey, who was appointed an arbitrator in the case by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. With that decision looming, the Browns still selected Watson to start their preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday.
During the Browns’ pregame show, Watson was interviewed by reporter Aditi Kinkabvala and addressed Robinson’s claim that he had expressed no remorse during the trial:
Watson Q&A:
Kinkhabwala: “As you say this, your eligibility is still in question and although this appeal is ongoing, I have to ask you, Judge Sue Robinson’s original decision made a very specific point when she said that your lack of remorse affected her decision-making. It’s part of the narrative around you. What’s your answer to that?”
Watson: “Look, I mean, I’m really sorry for all the women I’ve affected in this situation. The decisions I’ve made in my life that put me in this position I definitely wish I could take back, but I want to keep moving forward and growing and learning and showing that I’m a real person of character and I’ll keep moving forward.”
Watson added that he plans to spend his time away from the game continuing to mentor and “grow as a person, as a decision-maker on and off the field.” He also said that “I’m not sure when the next time I’ll be able to get out there will be.”
Expressing any remorse is new for Watson and his camp, who have long insisted that his encounters with dozens of massage therapists were consensual. Even in his inaugural Browns rookie conference, he refused to make any kind of apology as the team circled around him.
Deshaun Watson’s fate is still up in the air. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
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