Deshaun Watson is 'Creepy'? Unfair Opinion of Controversial QB?
There is no question that now-Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson crossed some lines when involved in multiple allegations of sexual misconduct while a member of the Houston Texans.
Now comes a new question: Is there a line that gets crossed when the media labels Watson as "creepy''?
"You can't get out of the way of an impulsive owner - an owner who panics," said FS1 personality Colin Cowherd in his evaluation of the QB and the problems with the Browns. "An owner who gives a fully guaranteed contract to a creepy guy with civil lawsuits who hadn't played in two years."
Cowherd in fact repeatedly used the word "creepy'' to describe Watson. ... and while as an "opinion-giver'' (rather than as a "reporter'') he has the right to editorialize ... we wonder: Does Watson's behavior mean he forever forfeits any right to "fairness'' in the media?
Full disclosure: I've appeared as a guest multiple times on Cowherd's shows. I have some knowledge of his work ethic and it makes me a fan of his work. I also understand that part of his job is to be a provocateur ... and there is nothing wrong with that.
But the word "creepy,'' used by a media member against a person who (I assume) the media member has never met? I think we should check ourselves on whether that is fair.
Before the allegations, Watson's reputation was pristine, and the notion of rewarding him for his talent and his character was inarguably justified. And then - also inarguably - everything went to hell.
In the blockbuster trade, the Browns envisioned themselves getting a franchise-changing talent ... and I'll argue that their misjudgment, if it turns out to be that, is what deserves to be skewered by Cowherd and the rest of us.
"Bad organizations, they find themselves in holes," Cowherd said, doing exactly that while calling the Browns "hard to root for. ...
"They find a shovel, and they keep on digging. That's what Cleveland does."
That is an opinion based in fact. Also factual: Watson has not steered a Browns turnaround. He's averaged 5.6 yards per pass attempt through two mediocre games. His Monday night line score reads: 22-of-40 for 235 passing yards, a touchdown, a pick-6 interception, and six sacks ... (and some allegedly "dirty'' play) ... all adding up to a 26-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But the Browns are 1-1. It's Week 3. It's early, even as Cowherd said, "He's not the old Deshaun Watson. He's slower. When he runs, he's not running to throw. He's not running to buy time. He's running to run."
Again, a football evaluation. Fair. Ripping the unprecedented contract extension with all of that guaranteed $230 million Fair. Repeatedly stating as fact that Watson - who settled 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits for allegations of sexual assault and harassment by massage therapists - is a "creep''? In this time of "TV debate shows'' replacing "news and information shows,'' maybe that media assertion is itself worthy of debate.
