Deshaun Watson Addresses Comments About Browns Fans

Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, recently expressed regret over comments he made about playing ’17 away games.’ He addressed these remarks in a press conference on Monday, aiming to clarify his stance with the team’s fans.

After being named the starting quarterback, Watson realized criticizing the fan base was not wise, even if the fans booed him during Saturday’s preseason game. During the press conference, he explained his comments resulted from an emotional reaction. ‘I think just human nature and myself being very emotional, putting a lot of time these last two years to get back, spend time in this facility, in the city, meeting a lot of different people in the community, I thought I was going to get a little different response,’ Watson said.

Watson admitted that his emotions took over and his comments were not intended to target the fans. ‘There’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me,’ he noted.

He acknowledged the investment and expectations from the organization, understanding the frustration stemming from injuries and time away. ‘I understand the frustration, I understand everything that goes into that.’

Despite these explanations, Watson did not formally apologize for stating fans had ‘gotten personal’ in ways he found disrespectful. He shared his belief that ‘I get more love on road games than I do at home games.’

Browns fans have shown reluctance to fully embrace Watson. His arrival in Cleveland followed lawsuits over sexual abuse claims by multiple massage therapists in Houston. Watson faced an 11-game suspension and a fine after settling these claims in civil court.

Injuries have also plagued Watson’s career. In 2023, a shoulder injury sidelined him for 11 games. He missed 10 games after tearing his Achilles tendon in 2024 and the entire 2025 season after re-injuring the same tendon. This comes after the Browns traded six draft picks, including three first-round selections, for Watson, granting him a guaranteed $230 million contract.

Watson emphasized his focus on football, aiming to deliver strong performances and connect with the fans and the community. ‘I want to make sure I put the best product out there for the team, for the organization, and for the city,’ he said.