After learning he would miss the first 11 games of the 2022 NFL season and pay a $5 million fine as part of a settlement between the league and NFLPA for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson reaffirmed on Thursday that he “never assaulted anyone.”
Watson said, “I’ve always stood on my innocence and always claimed I’ve never physically abused someone or treated them with contempt, and I’m continuing to stand on that. But I also need to keep moving forward in my personal and professional life. I must be able to go forward and set my pride aside in order for us to do so. I’ll keep moving forward while maintaining my innocence since I’ve always believed that no one should be treated with contempt or sexually assaulted.” Watson was sued by 24 women, and he has negotiated private settlements with 23 of them.
