After a more than disappointing season opening performance against Dallas, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is engulfed in more controversy.  The next day after the Browns lost the opener to Dallas 33-17, another civil lawsuit was filed against Watson in Houston Texas. This is a new allegation of sexual assault and battery. And on top of that it is rumored that Deshaun Watson was posting on X using a burner account for Leroy Bickerstaff.

If 4 had a tackle like Trent Williams he’d be able to show his greatness… 4 can’t succeed when he’s got no chance back there

— Leroy Bickerstaff (@LeroyBickers4) September 10, 2024

My first thought about this rumor is that it is laughable and ridiculous. First and foremost, most celebrities and high-profile athletes have people running their social media accounts. It is a rare occasion when the actual athlete or celebrity do the posting themselves. Most of the time they have public relations people doing the posting for them. I honestly hope this rumored burner account is in fact just a rumor. Because Deshaun Watson has bigger problems to deal with than internet trolling.

On September 10th ,2024, the NFL released a statement regarding the new lawsuit in Houston, The NFL said that they will investigate the allegation under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Deshaun Watson will not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. This means he can still play while the investigation can be conducted. The NFL will have Lisa Friel investigate the allegation. She was the same investigator that handed down the Watson 11 game suspension in 2022.  The Cleveland Browns also made a statement that they will respect the legal process on this matter along with the NFL guidelines on their personal conduct policy. So, what can Deshaun Watson do at this point?

When I write about any athlete, I do my best to be professional, honest, and fair. And Deshaun Watson is no different. If I could give him advise and if he would take it. I would tell him to focus on what he can control. And that is his performance on the field. Don’t play around with burner accounts and don’t try to please everyone. Because not everyone is going to like you. Any professional athlete will have critics. And the best way to silence those critics is to be successful on the football field not on X.