Deshaun Watson says he is ‘actually sorry to all the girls that I’ve impacted’

August 13, 2022

The interview was shared by the Browns on Twitter and carried out by a reporter for CNN affiliate WEWS’s “Browns Countdown.”

“I need to say that I am actually sorry to all the girls that I’ve impacted on this state of affairs,” Watson stated. “My selections that I made in my life that put me on this place I’d undoubtedly prefer to have again, however I need to proceed to maneuver ahead and develop and study and present that I’m a real particular person of character and I’m going to maintain pushing ahead.”

Earlier than the brief interview, Watson repeatedly denied allegations of misconduct, together with sexual assault and harassment involving greater than two dozen girls. He didn’t elaborate within the interview on what he meant when he stated “this example.”

The NFL introduced final week that it could attraction a call by former federal choose Sue L. Robinson to sit down Watson with out pay for six video games for violating the league’s private conduct coverage when he was with the Houston Texans. The league had been pushing for at the very least a full-season suspension as an alternative.

In her written ruling, Robinson cited Watson’s “lack of expressed regret” as an element within the self-discipline that she selected.

Watson is awaiting the ruling from former New Jersey Legal professional Basic Peter Harvey, who was named as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s designee to listen to the attraction.

Talking Tuesday at an homeowners assembly in Minneapolis, Goodell known as Watson’s habits “egregious” and “predatory.”

When requested why the league continues to hunt a harsher punishment for Watson, Goodell stated: “As a result of we have seen the proof. (Robinson) was very clear concerning the proof, she bolstered the proof that there was a number of violations right here they usually had been egregious and it was predatory habits.”

“These are issues that we all the time felt had been actually vital for us to handle in a means that is accountable,” Goodell continued.

Watson’s suspension doesn’t have an effect on the three-game preseason. He began Friday and accomplished only one cross in 5 makes an attempt.

A 3-time Professional Bowler, Watson didn’t play final season with the Texans due to a commerce demand in addition to the investigations into these allegations.

Earlier this yr, the Browns traded three first-round picks for Watson after which signed him to a five-year, absolutely assured $230 million contract, essentially the most assured cash in NFL historical past.

Twenty-four civil lawsuits had been filed in Texas in opposition to Watson; 23 have been settled confidentially. Two grand juries declined to cost Watson criminally.

CNN’s Jillian Martin and Ben Morse contributed to this report.