Harsh Truth: NFL values talent over morals
The Browns announced Sunday that they traded for Texans QB Deshaun Watson, giving up three first-round picks to the Texans.
Following the trade, the Browns also gave Watson a new five-year contract worth $230M guaranteed, with a $45M signing bonus. It is the most guaranteed money on a single contract in NFL history.
Watson talent’s as a three-time pro bowler is certainly worth the money the Browns gave him, but the details are the details, and the 26-year old and new starting QB for Cleveland is facing 22 civil lawsuits currently. And what this goes to show, time and time again, NFL values talent over morals and ethics.
On March 11, a grand jury freed Watson of criminal charges but his civil lawsuits still remain, and possibly a suspension upon his return to the NFL with the precedent of cases involving sexual misconduct and/or assault. The Browns are no bad guys in this equation as many teams vied for Watson’s services. During the Watson sweepstakes, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said that there were no QBs better than the former Texans QB:
However, you feel about his skill level and his ranking in the upper-echelon QBs pales small in comparison to the bigger picture issue here. The NFL has a history of “looking past” a player’s morals and behavior for his talents. Take the ’15 Cowboys that signed former Panthers DL Greg Hardy who had been charged and found guilty of sexual assault. His charges were dropped and Owner Jerry Jones threw the checkbook at Hardy who was one of the premier pass rushers. In more recent cases, you have Chiefs WR Tyreke Hill and Bengals RB Joe Mixon, both of whom have had assault charges against them. Yet they are both parts of two of the top teams and are featured pieces in their organization.
Now, this is not a hit-piece to Watson or any of those players as you are free to earn a living wherever your skillset sees fit. It is just hypocritical of a league that says they want to do right by women in sports and communities honestly. In this case, you have Watson who is under scrutiny for his allegations, yet a team decided to reward him with a historic contract? How do you as owners, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, sell to your fanbase this player with this much heat on him is the leader to guide your franchise into the next decade? You practically ran former number one pick QB Baker Mayfield out the door for this guy citing you wanted a “grown-up” in the locker room yet Watson’s transgressions show that he is not that.
Browns GM Andrew Barry said, “We have done extensive investigative, legal, and reference work over the past several months to provide us with the appropriate information needed to make an informed decision about pursuing him and moving forward with him as our quarterback.” Sounds good yet it was reported that Barry and Browns did not speak to any of the 22 women who filed the civil lawsuits or did not reveal any specifics into their investigation.
The NFL has to make up its mind when it comes to these issues. Their reactive behavior has done nothing but damage the trust the league has with its fans. Watson is just one player in the scheme of things when it comes to what the league really values. And it is definitely not morals.
