Browns, Deshaun Watson face backlash from fans after controversial $230,000,000 QB is named team captain - “Thug team with a thug captain”

The Cleveland Browns players voted on Deshaun Watson to be one of their captains during the 2023 season. This will be his second season with the franchise, but his first with a full 17 games after the 11-game suspension he faced the previous year.

Naming Watson, who signed a $230 million deal with the team in 2022, captain after two years of sexual assault accusations and a lengthy suspension may seem like a questionable decision by the Browns, to say the least. Even if it's common practice to name your quarterback as captain, this situation is not ideal.

NFL fans were not happy to see Watson placed as a team captain after everything he did over the past two years:

Deshaun Watson's multiple sexual assault allegations from 2021

A disappointing 4-12 season for the Houston Texans ended with J. J. Watt apologizing to Deshaun Watson. It was a sad scene for everyone involved, but things were about to go from bad to worse.

After it became clear that the quarterback wanted out of Houston, a huge scandal broke out. He was accused by more than 20 women of sexual misconduct.

The quarterback remained silent during the accusations. Watson's only remarks about the case were a post on his social media, in which he said that he "always treated women with the utmost respect". He also claimed that Tony Buzbee, the attorney who was representing most of the women, was doing it for the money.

The number kept growing in subsequent months, eventually reaching 30. However, he did not face criminal charges. With that, the issue of him being arrested and not being able to play for Cleveland was ruled out.

The Cleveland Browns traded three first, one third, and one fourth-round pick to obtain Watson from Houston. They also signed him to a massive contract for five years and $230 million.

Although he didn't face criminal charges, he was suspended by the NFL for 11 games and was fined $5 million.