Browns owner Jimmy Haslam held a press conference to address Deshaun Watson’s suspension and made people angry with his comments.
On Thursday, the NFL announced that they had reached a settlement to suspend Watson for 11 games with a $5 million fine after he was accused of sexual misconduct by nearly two dozen women in the past two years.
Here is our full story on #Browns QB Deshaun Watson, whose 11-game suspension and $5M fine is now final: https://t.co/AhQ6Jreahw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 18, 2022
While addressing the media, Haslam defended Watson by saying the QB deserved a second chance like Kareem Hunt, who was captured on video pushing and kicking a woman back in 2018.
“I think in this country, people deserve second chances. Is he never supposed to play again? Is he no longer supposed to be part of society? That’s what we’re going to do. We gave Kareem Hunt a second chance and that worked out pretty well.”
Here's #Browns owner Jimmy Haslam talking about giving Deshaun Watson a second chance, just like they once did with Kareem Hunt:pic.twitter.com/jbZTM4J3mv
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 18, 2022
In the middle of the press conference, Haslam wanted to let everyone know that Watson was “26 years old and he’s a high level quarterback.”
In the middle of questions about Deshaun Watson's behavior, Jimmy Haslam says: "It's important to remember Deshaun Watson is 26-years old, and he's a hell of an NFL quarterback." pic.twitter.com/cIeLtnzkGg
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022
Fans blasted Haslam over his comments.
This is despicable.
It's also the answer to how could anyone give DeShaun Watson $230 million guaranteed https://t.co/eWkIfDZpWt— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) August 18, 2022
Right…
THAT is the important thing to remember in this horrible situation. https://t.co/xW8nzfVYpL
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) August 18, 2022
If there's anyone who knows about escaping serious convictions with minimal damage, it's Jimmy Haslam. https://t.co/JbxlXlvDOd
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) August 18, 2022
So very tired of this "BUT HE CAN DO SPORTS WELL" excusing of reprehensible behavior. https://t.co/qJrgVrYIDU
— Lyndsey D'Arcangelo (@darcangel21) August 18, 2022
I don't think NFL owners are good people, because, in order to acquire that level of wealth, you're not doing good things, HOWEVER, the Haslams are an extra level of ghoulish https://t.co/CUpc4VuV4W
— Super Nintendo Chalmers (@flavortwnmarket) August 18, 2022
