Watson’s brilliance won’t eclipse sordid past

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is gradually rehabilitating his image after a turbulent few years where off-field behaviour has overshadowed his patchy record in the NFL. 

While leading the Browns to a 3-1 start this season, Watson is playing some of his best football in six years, previously setting career highs in passing yards and touchdowns with the Houston Texans. But after years of failing to take accountability for his actions, some in the media have mistaken Watson’s career revival for a feel-good comeback story.

Watson is attracting rave reports for his Browns form but has never shown true, consistent remorse for more than 25 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. Although a grand jury declined to indict him in any of the cases that landed in the criminal system, the NFL’s in-house judicial process resulted in an 11-game suspension under the Personal Conduct Policy. Under pressure, he eventually publicly apologised last year only to reneged on that sentiment by claiming two months ago: “I don’t regret anything in my life.” It has continued to divide his popularity amongst sports fans.