OPINION: Deshaun Watson’s trade is abhorrent and unsurprising
“Cleveland Browns new quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Berea, Ohio.” Photo by AP Photo, Ron Schwane.
Zach Donaldson is a freshman studying political science and an opinion writer for The New Political.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.
On March 18, the NFL opened an investigation in conjunction with Houston Attorney Tony Buzbee into then Houston Texans Quarterback Deshaun Watson for allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. This would spur a year-long chain of headlines with multiple women coming forward, a police investigation and a grand jury hearing in Harris County, Texas on March 11, 2022, which ultimately concluded not to press criminal charges. Another grand jury hearing is being held in Brazoria County on one allegation with results likely to come this Friday.
Watson’s trade to the Cleveland Browns and subsequent 230 million dollar deal is as morally bankrupt as expected. Despite 22 ongoing and credible civil lawsuits of accused sexual assault and misconduct, the minute a grand jury chose not to indict Watson, multiple teams such as the Panthers and Saints shamelessly stumbled over themselves for the prized quarterback.
To the Browns, it didn't matter the proverbial middle finger this decision flipped to the franchise’s female fans. The mountainous character questions, locker room problems and harm Watson has caused didn’t seem pertinent to them. The very real threat that his signing could pose to the female personnel within the organization was not considered. His innocence wasn’t even a priority: that is still pending.
All that matters is that Watson can play football. In the NFL, as long as you can help win games, it doesn’t matter the wrongs you’ve done, there will always be a place for you.
As guilty as the Cleveland Browns are, so are the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers who pursued Watson with equal tenacity and vigor. The NFL is just as guilty, and will likely dole out meager punishments to save face. Watson will surely join a long list of players such Adrian Peterson, Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill, whose violence against women and children warranted slaps on the wrist and a return to the league with open arms.
Countless fans, including myself, are to blame as well. Those who have shamefully cheered on their teams who continuously coordinated deals with the devil and fought to keep men like Ben Roethlisberger at the helm to assure victories on Sunday. Every rung of the professional football establishment is guilty for building an incentive structure where team success is prioritized over holding society’s greatest ills accountable.
The free agency fiasco of the past week underscores realities about the darker side of sports in the U.S. It highlights the blistering performative activism of an organization that parades around Black and Women’s History months while Colin Kaepernick still sits on the sidelines and Watson is suiting up to play. It speaks to the frightening and willful disregard of gendered violence when it applies to favorite athletes. Once again, these decisions put an exclamation point on the irrefutable fact that there are distinct and different systems of accountability for rich and powerful men and everybody else.
Hopefully, this situation will invite dialogue and embolden a fervor to tackle these issues. The exodus of outraged Browns fans is warranted, encouraging and perhaps the spark needed to break the current perpetuation of sexual violence that the league’s rules and fans allow.
Until the day comes when fans, players and league officials prioritize accountability, the NFL will continue to sweep these issues under the rug and make millions in the process.
