Al Michaels glosses over Deshaun Watson's two dozen sexual misconduct lawsuits, calls them a 'thing'
Fox News • • sports
Key Points:
- Amazon Prime announcer Al Michaels discussed Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during a Thursday Night Football game but omitted detailed mention of Watson's sexual misconduct allegations and the dozen lawsuits he settled.
- Watson faced allegations from 27 women accusing him of sexual misconduct and assault during massage appointments between 2017 and 2020, which led to him sitting out the 2021 NFL season and an 11-game suspension in 2022.
- Michaels referred to these serious allegations vaguely as a "thing" and suggested that football fans already know the story, choosing instead to focus on Watson's injuries, performance, and relationship with Browns fans.
- Critics argue that omitting the full context of Watson's misconduct and the impact on victims minimizes the gravity of the allegations, especially when discussing his career and fan reception.
- The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around how the media addresses athletes' off-field behavior, particularly in cases involving sexual assault allegations.
