Deshaun Watson maintains innocence, Browns defend trade

One day after a second grand jury decided against indicting Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson regarding numerous allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, the three-time Pro Bowl selection who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing fielded questions from media members and maintained his innocence. 

"I understand the whole circumstances is very difficult, especially for the women's side of the fans in this community. I'm not naive to that. I know these allegations are very, very serious," Watson explained about Cleveland's blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. "But I've never assaulted any woman. I've never disrespected any woman. I was raised by a single-parent mom who has two aunties, who's a sister, and that's who raised me.

"I was raised to be genuine and respect everyone and everything around me. So I've always defended that, and I will continue to stand on that. I just want the opportunity to be able to show who I really am in the community and be hands-on and help people and serve other people." 

Watson is still facing 22 civil lawsuits. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said he and the organization were "advised against reaching out to the 22 women out of concern it would be considered interfering with a criminal investigation" regarding the club's "extensive" investigation of the star signal-caller before the trade, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. 

Berry and company ultimately signed Watson to a five-year contract reportedly worth $230 million in fully guaranteed money. 

"We feel very confident in Deshaun the person," Berry responded when asked if he believed Watson has been falsely accused of "wrongdoing" by the complainants. "We have a lot of faith in him. And we believe that as he gets into the community and our organization, he’s going to make a positive impact." 

Florio also notes Watson insisted he does not intend to settle the lawsuits. 

"I can't speak on what people's opinions are because everyone has their own opinions, but what I can continue to do is tell the truth, and that is I've never assaulted or disrespected or harassed any woman in my life," Watson said about those who won't believe him. "Like I said before, I was raised differently. That's not my DNA. That's not my culture. That's not me as a person. That's not how I was raised. For me, that's to continue to push forward and show people who I really am." 

Watson's status for part or all of the 2022 NFL season remains in question.