Deshaun Watson only addresses football questions ahead of regular-season debut with Browns
As Deshaun Watson gets ready to go up against his old team, the Houston Texans, the quarterback only answers football questions
Deshaun Watson is set to play a regular-season NFL game this weekend for the first time in almost two years, and it’s not just any game. It’s his new team, the Cleveland Browns (4-7), against his old team, the Houston Texans (1-9-1), in Texas.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup though, the quarterback said he “can’t address” any of the circumstances that led to his lengthy absence.
“At this time, I can’t address any of that stuff,” Watson said. “Who knows what the future holds? Right now, I’m locked in on being the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.”
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Hot and cold
The 27-year-old is returning from an 11-game suspension due to accusations by more than 20 women of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.
Watson was expected to meet the media on Wednesday afternoon in the leadup to the Browns-Texans matchup and even claimed he was eager to tell his side of the story back when he was traded to the Browns. He stated that when people heard it, they would understand he’s done no wrong.
He was then given the opportunity to do so on Thursday during his first media session since his return but refused to answer any questions that weren’t related to football.
During Deshaun Watson’s first interview in nearly four months, the Cleveland Browns quarterback declined to answer any non-football questions, via @Jake_Trotter.https://t.co/x52H9XtztT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2022
Only football questions for Watson
When pressed on why he can’t address “any of that stuff” Watson said that it was because of his “legal team and political team.”
“I understand that you guys have a lot of questions,” he said, as he thanked Browns fans, teammates, coaches, and ownership for their support, “but with my legal team and my political team, there’s only football questions that I can really address at this time.”
Watson is going into the Sunday game with optimism, regardless if his fans in Houston might respond the way he imagines them to. And even though he’s no longer a Texan, Watson says he has “friends and family that’s still in Houston, relationships that are still there.”
Watson’s debut in Cleveland won’t come until Week 15, when the Browns play at Cincinnati before hosting the Ravens on Dec. 18.