The NFL is doing its thing again. Deshaun Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler who sat out the entirety of the 2021 season due to a grand jury trial regarding sexual misconduct, is now involved in a mega-deal to become the new quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.
According to multiple reports, Watson, who has a no-trade clause and was assessing suitors, had cut down the list of teams he was interested in to the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.
Then, the Browns offered him the most guaranteed money in NFL history. He took it.
They also offered the Texans three first-round picks, a third-round pick and a potential fifth-round pick, per Adam Schefter.
To recap, Cleveland is giving $230 million fully guaranteed, three first-round picks and another two assets for a man who is currently involved in 22 civil lawsuits.
Roughly a week ago, a grand jury declined to indict him on criminal charges following a police investigation.
According to the Justice Department, just 23 percent of incidences of rape and sexual assault are reported. Per the FBI, roughly 20 percent of that number lead to arrests. According to the nonprofit Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, only about half of arrests lead to trial.
And of that number that lead to trial, according to a Justice Department study from 1999 to 2009, only 35 percent of rape trials result in conviction. In sum, that’s less than 1 percent of rape and sexual assault allegations that result in conviction.
But again, there are still 22 active civil lawsuits against Watson.
When he was initially sued by 23 women and his lawyers successfully argued for the plaintiffs to have their names released publicly in order to remain involved in the lawsuits, just one plaintiff of the 22 dropped their suit in light of privacy concerns.
Per the Harris County District Clerk’s website via SI, he has been accused of multiple acts of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Among the many allegations, Watson is accused of declining to cover his penis during massage sessions and forcing women to give him oral sex.
Either the Browns know something we all don’t, or they simply value Watson’s on-field talent more than care about what he’s accused of.