Signs condemning Deshaun Watson taped to Jim Brown statue outside Browns stadium
Fans attached protest signs to the Jim Brown statue at Cleveland Browns' stadium, criticizing the team's decision to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson on the roster amid ongoing controversy.
Cleveland police were called after protest signs were affixed to the statue of Hall of Famer Jim Brown outside the Browns' home stadium. The signs denounced the team's retention of quarterback Deshaun Watson, referencing his legal and disciplinary history.
The Browns announced on Monday that Watson, who was booed by the home crowd during a recent preseason loss, will start the regular season. Watson, returning after a 22-month absence due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, responded to the booing, describing it as a personal attack.
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract in 2022 and was suspended for the first 11 games of that season after the NFL found him in violation of its personal-conduct policy. More than two dozen women have alleged sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions, leading to a $5 million fine and a mandated evaluation before his reinstatement.
One of the posted signs read, "$280,000,000 – 27+ victims – zero supporters," while another claimed Watson's presence caused "permanent damage to the city and franchise."