Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson started his first NFL game for almost two years, but was heavily booed by fans on his opening drive.
After serving his 11-game NFL suspension, Watson was listed on the Browns roster for the very first time to face his former team on Sunday after leaving the Houston Texans in March. Watson was removed from the Texans roster in 2021 following sexual harassment claims, and later suspended by the NFL in August 2022.
The 27-year-old lined up in the quarterback slot for the first time in 700 days, making his competitive debut for the Browns. But the atmosphere as NRG Stadium was hostile as Watson took to the field, following his controversial return.
Watson was booed when entering the field, and then jeers continued as the Browns offensive unit came out. Watsons return has been highly controversial, following the extent of the allegations made against the quarterback.
The 27-year-old was removed from the Texans side in 2021 on grounds of "non-injury reasons/personal matter" to begin with, but later formally suspended. A total of 26 cases are said to have been filed against the NFL star by women surrounding sexual acts.
Watson is believed to have made confidential settlement agreements with 23 of the 24 women. However, 26 cases have been filed against the NFL star, which led to his suspension and fine back in August.
In August, NFL and the NFLPA reached a settlement, and Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 regular season and was fined $5million (£4.25m). Despite the controversies surrounding Watson while he was at the Texans, the Browns offered him a huge deal in March.
Watson signed a five-year guaranteed deal worth $230m (£196m) with the Browns. The agreement made it the largest contract and most guaranteed money in NFL history at the time.
The quarterback was drafted by the Texans in the first-round (12th overall pick) back in 2017, and started as he meant to go on with a quarterback rating of 103 after his first six games. Seasons with records of 11-5 and then 10-5 followed, but his best QBR came in what has turned out to be his last campaign until now.
A QBR rating of 112.4 came as Watson achieved career highs in passing yards, completions, attempts and passing touchdowns. But Watson didn't make an appearance in the 2021 season, and hasn't played since, until now.
It didn't start well for Watson against his former side, as he threw an interception which sparked wild celebrations from the Texans fans. Jacoby Brissett has been occupying the quarterback slot this season, but has been dropped to the bench at the first time of asking.
