Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson apologized Friday “to all the ladies I've impacted” after being accused by two dozen ladies of sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage remedy classes.
Watson, who's dealing with a possible year-long NFL suspension, spoke earlier than Cleveland’s exhibition opener in Jacksonville — his first recreation since Jan. 3, 2021, with the Houston Texans.
Watson was suspended six video games earlier this month by unbiased arbiter Sue L. Robinson, who concluded he violated the league’s private conduct coverage with “egregious” and “predatory” conduct.
As a part of her determination, the retired federal decide famous Watson’s lack of regret.
Watson was requested in a pregame TV interview for his response to Robinson’s place that he hasn’t been contrite.
“Look, I wish to say that I’m really sorry to all the ladies that I've impacted on this scenario,” Watson stated within the interview. “The choices that I made in my life that put me on this place I'd undoubtedly prefer to have again, however I wish to proceed to maneuver ahead and develop and be taught and present that I'm a real particular person of character and I'm going to maintain pushing ahead.”
Watson was accused of sexually harassing or assaulting the ladies in the course of the remedy classes in 2020 and 2021. He has at all times denied wrongdoing and grand juries in two Texas counties declined to indict him on legal complaints.
The three-time Professional Bowler settled 23 of 24 civil lawsuits.
Nevertheless, he’s nonetheless dealing with self-discipline from the league, which appealed Robinson’s penalty and is searching for a full-season ban together with a big superb over $5 million and for Watson to endure analysis and remedy earlier than he could possibly be reinstated.
The attraction is now with Peter C. Harvey, a former New Jersey lawyer normal appointed by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
There’s no timetable on Harvey’s determination. It’s additionally attainable the edges might work out a settlement. On Thursday, an individual acquainted with Watson’s protection instructed AP that the 26-year-old would comply with an eight-game suspension and $5 million superb.
The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the high-profile case.
Watson has continued to apply and was enthusiastic about making his debut with Cleveland, which traded three-first-round picks to Houston for him in March and signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract.
Relying on Harvey’s ruling, Watson could possibly be away from the Browns for an prolonged interval. He was requested what sort of private development he hoped to make.
“I do know I've plenty of work to place in, particularly on the sector to have the ability to be certain that I’m able to play every time that point comes every time I can step again on the sector,” he stated. “But in addition, the largest factor is I wish to proceed counseling and I wish to guarantee that I’m rising as an individual, as a person for my decision-making on and off the sector.
“I wish to guarantee that I’m simply evolving locally as a lot as attainable, and that's for the Cleveland neighborhood, that's the NFL neighborhood and past.” ___
Extra AP NFL protection: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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