Stephen A. Smith Sparks Controversy with Deshaun Watson Comeback Player of the Year Remarks
ESPN commentator's comments on the Browns quarterback, who faced sexual misconduct allegations, draw discomfort from co-host and criticism online.
Stephen A. Smith ignited controversy on ESPN's "First Take" by suggesting that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is a strong candidate for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award. Smith's remarks drew an immediate, uncomfortable reaction from co-host Chris Canty and fueled online criticism, particularly given Watson's history of sexual misconduct allegations.
Watson, who missed the entire 2023 season due to an Achilles injury, has guided the Browns to a 7-2 record this season, with the team currently in first place in the AFC North. Smith argued that Watson's performance, including leading five fourth-quarter comeback victories, warrants consideration for the award. "Very uncomfortable to say it, but it's true. It's true," Smith stated in defense of his comments, emphasizing Watson's on-field resurgence.
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Watson faced 24 allegations of sexual misconduct from massage therapists, though he denied sexually assaulting or harassing anyone and stated that any sexual encounters were consensual. He was not criminally prosecuted but received a suspension from the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy. His current $230 million contract with the Browns has been a point of contention for some fans.
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The debate surrounding Watson's on-field success and his past off-field issues resurfaced earlier this month when Amazon Prime aired an interview with the quarterback. Critics derided the interview, conducted by Taylor Rooks, as a "puff piece" for not delving deeper into the allegations, with Rooks framing Watson's arrival in Cleveland as having a "past that was unresolved." Fans expressed frustration on social media, with some arguing that the interview minimized the severity of the accusations against Watson.
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Watson engineered another game-winning drive on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, connecting on a 36-yard pass that set up the game-winning field goal. This marked his fifth game-winning drive of the season. He also threw for 308 yards and ran for a touchdown in the 27-24 victory.
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged Watson's clutch performances, noting, "He has something in him to be able to make plays when it counts." Watson's ability to engineer game-winning drives has placed him in rare company, as he is the third quarterback since the 1970 merger to lead game-winning drives in each of his team's first five wins of a season, joining Dallas' Troy Aikman in 1990 and Detroit's Matthew Stafford in 2016.