Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson addressed his recent comments about feeling more support in away games than at home, stating that "emotions got the best of me." The remarks came after fans booed Watson during Saturday's preseason game, leading him to suggest he might feel like he's playing "17 away games."
During a press conference on Monday, after being named the team's starting quarterback, Watson explained his earlier statement. "I think just human nature and myself being very emotional, putting a lot of time these last two years to get back, spend time in this facility, in the city, meeting a lot of different people in the community, I thought I was going to get a little different response," Watson said. "But I think my emotions got the best of me, and my comments weren’t intended to go at any of the fans around the city, because there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me."
Watson acknowledged the frustration of the fan base, recognizing the significant investment the organization made in acquiring him in 2022. He admitted that the team's performance has not met expectations, citing injuries and his own struggles to perform at his best. "So, again, I understand the frustration, I understand everything that goes into that," he stated.
The quarterback's comments on Saturday had drawn attention, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his arrival in Cleveland. Watson joined the Browns amid nearly two dozen lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by massage therapists, which led to an 11-game suspension by the NFL. He also has a history of injuries, missing significant time due to a shoulder injury in 2023 and tearing his Achilles tendon in 2024 and again in 2025, costing him the entire current season.
Watson emphasized his desire to focus on his performance on the field. "Moving forward, I just want to focus on football, making sure that I’m putting the best product out there, having the best ability because I thrive off the energy," he said. "I thrive off the energy of the fans, I thrive off the energy of the community, I thrive off all that stuff. ...I want to make sure I put the best product out there for the team, for the organization, and for the city, so we can put [out] a lot of wins, and celebrate, and put Cleveland on the map."