Photo: Mike Carlson/Getty Images
“Cleveland against the world” has always been a motto used by fans and players to describe how they feel about their sports teams. Now, it has a whole new meaning.
In March, the Browns moved on from Baker Mayfield and traded for Deshaun Watson, a talented, yet troubled star quarterback who has been at the center of the NFL universe over the last year due to 24 cases of sexual misconduct against him. Watson was not indicted by two grand juries and settled 23 out of the 24 civil cases, but he still was suspended six games by Judge Sue L. Robinson last week. The NFL, looking to suspend Watson for more games, appealed Robinson's decision and appointed Peter C. Harvey, a former Attorney General, to re-look at the case.
While Watson awaits his fait, he started the Browns first preseason game on Friday against the Jaguars. In his first game since January 2021, the former Texan looked like a football player who hadn't played football in nearly 19 months. He only competed one pass, a short pass to tight end David Njoku, for seven yards.
When Watson finds out his ruling, serves his suspension and comes back, the Browns will be the talk of the NFL because of his allegations. No matter the length of the suspension, fans and media members outside the Cleveland circle already have their mind made up about what Watson is, and what type of organization the Cleveland Browns are because they acquired Watson, and it’s difficult to change the minds of individuals once their minds are already made up.
Since No. 4 has stepped foot in Cleveland, he’s been about football and getting to know the team on and off the field. His teammates and coaches love him. It’s clear the Browns know they will be the villain and have a lot of fan bases wishing for their downfall for some time.
"More than ever, [it's] Cleveland against the world, so we'll be ready for it," Joel Bitonio stated.
Bitonio is expecting a lot of boo's wherever the Browns play, and Watson gets behind center this season. They’ll be ready, and the future is exciting around the team and the city.
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