Deshaun Watson has “been very isolated” and some of those around him have “jumped ship,” according to former Pro Bowl running back Fred Taylor, who went into detail about Watson’s six-game suspension on Monday.
During an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up,” Taylor said he spoke to Watson through text messages and stated the QB is dealing with a lot in wake of 25 female massage therapists accusing him of sexual misconduct.
“He just wanted to get it out there that he is remorseful,” Taylor said. “He has shown that in our conversations and he has also expressed that people have jumped ship on him so he’s been very isolated… He just wants to get this behind him.”
After the decision came down, the Pro Bowl quarterback did not address the media after practice.
“He feels bad about everyone involved in the situation,” Taylor said. “He hate that he put himself in that situation. It’s just going to bring a lot of distractions to the locker room and usually most coaches, teams, they want to minimize those distractions…
“But as you mentioned Chan [Channing Crowder] they all have to be big brothers [in the locker room], they all have to show support because even in Deshaun’s and my conversations that we’ve had, so many people he thinks turned their back on him. A lot of people ran away, and whether they did it right, correctly or not, I think now is a chance where you want to embrace your brother.”
Taylor went on to suggest that Watson should “maybe become an advocate” and “have some remorse, some sympathy” toward the women involved.
“He will be back after six weeks,” said Taylor, referring to Watson’s suspension. “He will move forward, the Browns will move forward and everything is going to move forward.”
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U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson ultimately decided Watson would receive six games. The NFL has three days to submit an appeal to Robinson’s ruling. The NFL Players Association issued a statement on Sunday stating that it would not appeal Robinson’s ruling.
“Again, I think if they [the NFL] do appeal, it’s simply to save face — nothing else,” said Taylor, adding, “This whole thing is a distraction.”
