Perhaps Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is fed up with all the litigation that comes with the alleged sexual misconduct cases filed against him.
Just last week, he was saying something like this.
This is what Deshaun Watson said just last week, when asked if he was open to settling the civil lawsuits: #Browns pic.twitter.com/2TiAIAUq1K
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) June 21, 2022
When asked if he is amenable to settlements, he said, “I just want to clear my name and be able to let the facts and the legal procedures continue to play out. Right now, that is all I am doing is wanting to clear my name and be able to let all the facts come out in the court of law and be able to focus on that.”
His statement may sound ambiguous but he had confidence that the ongoing investigation will help clear him from any wrongdoing.
Watson believes that he hasn’t done anything wrong and that the court will unearth that truth.
If that’s the case, why has he settled 20 out of the 24 cases filed against him?
Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the 24 women, confirmed the settlements.
Therefore, the cases that have been settled are now closed, leaving Watson with four left.
But while he will not be charged criminally and will settle all lawsuits soon, it does not absolve him from any wrongdoing.
In fact, settling those cases could make him look guilty because he’s throwing money in exchange for their silence.
The NFL Has To Do Something With Watson
Though Watson is seeing the end of his legal troubles, the NFL will not let him off the hook easily.
Sexual misconduct is a serious offense and having 24 allegations should correspond to serious sanctions.
The last thing the league wants is to have Watson play because that decision will create much pushback not just from football fans but also from groups that fight against sexual misconduct.
In that case, the league may suspend Watson from playing the entire 2022 season.
That penalty should be enough for his transgressions and it hurts the Browns’ winning chances as well.
Anything less than a full season may be seen as unacceptable and an indication that they are taking his side.
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