After being officially named the team’s starter on Monday, Deshaun Watson apologized for ripping Cleveland Browns fans after they booed him during a preseason game.
During his post-game press conference on Saturday, Watson blasted Browns fans because he felt their booing him was personal and not due to his play. For the record, Watson completed five out of 12 passes for 36 yards and threw an interception while playing in the third quarter and some of the fourth against backups.
On Monday, Deshaun Watson was named the team’s starting quarterback for the Browns’ season-opener against the Jaguars on Sept. 13.
“Took in the full body of work over the course of offseason to training camp to the games and the joint practice, and ultimately, felt like to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points,” head coach Todd Monken said. “And that’s really what it’s about. I felt that way going into the last game, but wasn’t sure. And after we talked as a staff and after we re-looked at everything, we’re going to go in that direction.”
Deshaun Watson apologized for his negative remarks about Browns fans
“Saturday, after the game, I think it’s human nature, just myself, being very emotional,” Deshaun Watson told reporters on Monday after being named the starter. “Putting a lot of time in these last two years to get back and spend time in this facility and in the city, meeting a lot of different people in the community.
“I thought I was going to get a little different response, but I think my emotions got the best of me. My comments wasn’t intending to go at any of the fans around in the city ’cause there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me.
“And I know the frustration. This organization has put a lot of investment coming to get me back in ’22 and things haven’t been going the right direction that we thought it was. A lot of injuries. A lot of time off, not putting the best football and my foot forward.”
Deshaun Watson ‘understands’ the Browns fans’ frustrations
“Again, just, I understand the frustration,” Watson continued. “I understand everything that kind of goes into that. Moving forward, I just want to focus on football, making sure that I’m putting the best product out there, having the best ability because I thrive off the energy. I thrive off the energy of the fans. I thrive off the energy of the community. I thrive off all that stuff.
“I think looking back at my history at Clemson and previous at the Houston organization, I was a big community guy, big city guy, big fan guy during games.
“So, again, my emotions got the best of me. I’m human. I take full responsibility for that, and moving forward, I want to make sure I put the best product on the team for the organization and for the city, so we can put up a lot of wins and make sure I celebrate and put Cleveland on the map.”
Many Cleveland Browns fans did not accepts Watson’s apology
“I’m done with this organization. Disrespectful AF. They’ll never win anything, nothing but a joke,” one fan commented.
“There actually wasn’t an apology or anything that alluded to it anywhere in his word salad,” someone else complained.
“This was too predictable; the Owner told DW that now we’ve announced you as the starter, go apologize,” read another comment. “DW is mentally and emotionally COOKED! I don’t want to hear that it was performance based…anyone with a football IQ can see SS is much better than DW, it’s about $230M!”
“He never apologized. Just like Saturday when he said he had no regrets,” another fan wrote. “What planet is this dude living on? Zero growth since he came to Cle!”