Deshaun Watson’s apology doesn’t do much for many fans

Deshaun Watson’s “non” apology doesn’t sit well with many.

Before the Cleveland Browns took on the Jacksonville Jaguars, Aditi Kinkhabwala got an opportunity to talk to embattled Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Watson, who would go on to look a bit rough in his preseason debut, spoke to Kinkhabwala about a few things, one of which involved his reaction to the ruling from Judge Sue L. Robinson.

Judge Robinson ruled that Watson committed four acts of sexual assault, stated that his actions were the most egregious the NFL has ever seen and feared for the safety of women so much banned him from being able to obtain massages outside of licensed massages employed by the Cleveland Browns.

She ruled that due to prior precedent she could only give him six games but also stated that his lack of remorse was why she felt she had to give him, what she felt, was the maxiumum punishment. Kinkhabwala asked Watson about her ruling, to which he said;

"I’m truly sorry to all the women that I’ve impacted in this situation. (There are) decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to have back"

Deshaun Watson’s non-apology didn’t help matters

It’s no surprise that fans online didn’t buy what Watson was selling. Many on Twitter accused Watson of giving a non-apology and bringing up all the things he said previously that contradicted what he said on Friday.

People aren’t letting this go and if you think non-Cleveland Browns fans will ever move on from this, you’re going to be sorely mistaken.

Let’s be clear about some things, we’re no longer debating if he did these things. We know he did. We’re no longer debating if his actions were egregious, they were. This wasn’t a “money grab”, it was victims looking for recompense.

So to hear Watson, still not be able to admit what he did, makes his entire apology worthless. Watson would’ve had more people supporting him had he just said “I’m sorry they feel that way” because that’s what he essentially said.

When judges make people apologize in court for their actions, a full apology for the harm done is demanded. Not just “I’m sorry” but an “I’m sorry for doing…”

Watson didn’t “impact” these women, he abused them. The only reason he’s not behind bars right now is that in Texas, doing what Watson did isn’t sexual assault. In Ohio, it very much is. Yes, Watson still has a pending lawsuit, so his lawyer may want him to be vague but if that lawsuit isn’t settled, he’ll pay regardless.

Being a decent person should trump the few million he’d end up having to pay out and apologizing now, and often is the only way he can ever get clear from this. Though, to be fair, he’ll never be clear of this. This will follow him his whole career, as it probably should.

Fans will always remind him.

He didn’t say something offensive, he didn’t even just do something offensive. He did something nearly unforgivable and then lied about it time and time again. This is a man who said he never disrespected a woman before, that he has no regrets, and that he doesn’t need any type of help.

He’s going to have to do better than an apology that basically sounds like “I’m sorry your feelings are hurt.”

Admit what you did, apologize, drop any of this notion that you shouldn’t be suspended, pay restitution, and take your punishment like a man. There is no one but Watson to blame for this, and it’s time he grows up and accepts responsibility.