Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett recently spoke highly of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, stating that he considers him to be “a model citizen.” Garrett expressed his admiration for Watson’s character, highlighting his positive impact both on and off the field.
Moreover, Garrett expressed disappointment towards the fans who booed Watson during a recent game against the Cincinnati Bengals, suggesting that their behavior was inappropriate. He emphasized that fans should instead appreciate Watson’s talent and contributions to the sport, rather than directing negativity towards him.
During his post-game press conference, Garrett defended Watson not only as a player but also as a person, despite the long list of women who have accused Watson of sexual assault and sexual harassment.
“Man does pretty much everything right. He’s been a model citizen through college and also the pros,” Garrett said. “We can’t look down on the guy because of any mistakes on the field, or anything off the field. We don’t have any moral high ground to look down on the guy.”
But calling Watson “a model citizen” flies in the face of everything that came out about him in 2021, when 22 different women came forward and said he obtained their services for therapeutic massages and then sexually assaulted or sexually harassed them. Watson was not criminally charged, but he settled the women’s lawsuits and the NFL’s investigation found those accusations credible enough to suspend him for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fine him $5 million.
Garrett wants his teammates to be supported when they’re injured, and he found it distasteful to hear some fans booing while Watson was on the ground and then being taken off the field with what looked like a season-ending injury.
“We don’t boo guys that are injured on the field, especially when the cart comes out,” Garrett said. “We should be ashamed of ourselves, as Browns and as fans, to boo anyone in their downfall. To be season-altering, career-altering injury, the man’s not perfect, he doesn’t need to be. None of us expect to be perfect. Can’t judge him for what he does on the field or off the field because I can’t throw stones from my glass house, but we need to do better.”
Flip to the next page to watch Myles Garrett jump into Deshaun Watson’s defense…
