Browns All-Pro offensive lineman defends Deshaun Watson, declares Cleveland vs the World this NFL season
The Philadelphia Eagles next preseason opponent, the Cleveland Browns, have a bizarre way of using bulletin board material this season in order to hype up the team.
Watch: Jaguars fans chant “You sick fuck!” at Deshaun Watson.
Originally tweeted by nubz (@J_Nubz) on August 12, 2022.
During the Browns first preseason game against the Jaguars in Jacksonville, Deshaun Watson was showered with boos from the crowd.
Joel Bitonio, the team’s All-Pro offensive lineman, came to his defense afterwards.
“It seems like more than ever, it’s Cleveland against the world, so we’ll be ready for it.”
“Cleveland against the world” is a funny way of saying people are viscerally disgusted by the actions of a serial sexual predator. At least it’s good to know that the Browns will be ready for the adversity coming their way.
Is it fair to rip Bitonio for this quote? I think so. Even if Watson is his teammate and presumed starter in Cleveland once he gets through the legal battle with the NFL in regards to his suspension, there has to be a better way to answer that question. I really don’t care if it’s his teammate and they both get paid millions of dollars to play football.
A simple “DeShaun Watson is our quarterback and I am on the Cleveland Browns. Whoever is behind center, is up to the organization, not me” would have probably done the trick.
The Browns acquired Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans, and then signed him to a $230 million dollar contract. A large amount of the money was guaranteed and the contract is structured to cushion the financial effect of any potential suspension.
In Philadelphia, we should all be thankful we completely avoided the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes and rumors that surrounded the Eagles targeting him. In just one preseason appearance, it’s already turned into a circus and the NFL still hasn’t officially handed Watson their suspension.
I’m sure Joel Bitonio was just trying to give the football “rah rah” answer and accidentally conscripted every citizen of Cleveland into the Deshaun Watson army. It will be interesting to see how Browns fans handle Watson taking the field when they play the Eagles next Sunday in Cleveland.
Is it really Cleveland vs the World? I highly doubt Watson gets any type of praise from Browns fans when he takes the field. What a horrible position Cleveland finds themselves in, and we’ve only made it to the middle of August. Yikes.
Mandatory Credit: AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
