Deshaun Watson’s vile rehabilitation campaign was the focus of Thursday Night Football
SB Nation • • sports
Key Points:
- Thursday Night Football coverage heavily focused on Deshaun Watson, with commentators like Kirk Herbstreit downplaying his past sexual assault allegations against 27 women and framing his story as one of overcoming adversity.
- The broadcast avoided direct mention of the abuse claims, suspension, or the $50 million settlement Watson paid to silence his accusers, instead portraying him as a victim of fan criticism and unfair treatment.
- Critics argue this whitewashing reflects a broader pattern in sports media of minimizing violence against women by athletes and shifting the narrative to on-field performance rather than accountability.
- Watson's on-field performance was described as mediocre, with the Browns' recent wins attributed more to their strong defense and weak opponents rather than his individual skill.
- The article condemns the broadcast for attempting to rehabilitate Watson's image, calling it a disgraceful example of prioritizing star quarterbacks over truth and justice.
