On August 18, 2022, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was given an eleven-game suspension and fined $5 million by the NFL for violating the NFL’s conduct policy after initially being handed only a six-game suspension with no fine. Watson has been accused of sexual misconduct by 24 female massage therapists who have filed civil lawsuits against him, and he has settled with 23 of them. Watson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. However, there is a solid case to be made that his actions and the evidence against him tell a different story.

According to the New York Times, Watson had booked appointments with 66 massage therapists in 17 months. Why does this matter? Well, ask yourself, who needs that many massage therapists? Another thing to note is that Watson had previously stated that he only hired 40 in his entire five-year career. Another notable action to consider is that Watson has admitted in court that a massage therapist cried after a session.

Watson should also consider calling Saul because his lawyer had some rather unusual things to say. In a Houston sports radio interview, Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, infamously claimed that “happy endings” to massages aren’t illegal. Hardin has also stated, “Like a lot of people, Deshaun regularly deletes his past Instagram messages,” regarding his previously deleted messages to massage therapists.

When the Cleveland Browns owner, Jimmy Haslam, was asked about this, he explained, “I think in this country, and hopefully, in the world, people deserve second chances.” Except for Watson, this would technically be a 25th chance. Calvin Ridley got an indefinite suspension for gambling, and Matt Araiza got released from the NFL for an allegation accusing him of being involved in a group sexual assault, which makes Deshaun Watson only getting eleven games even more of a mystery. However, one thing is sure. Deshaun Watson shouldn’t have received another opportunity to play in the NFL.