I have yet to comment on the Watson allegations or issues surrounding it, but this video seems to be as good a time as any to do so. I apologize in advance as this will likely be long. I am also guessing this may upset some posters, maybe those on both sides of this discission.

First of all I have never felt like I was supporting the morals or personal behavior of a player, good or bad, when I cheer for my favorite team. I have no idea if the public persona and media accounts of a player are an accurate true portrayal of their behavior, and it is not likely I will ever be close friends with one, so I don't let it affect my decision. Obviously, some players have very positive reputations and 2 off the top of my head are Nick Chubb, and when he was here, Christian Kirksey, who are consider great guys. Obviously, Watson's reputation is trash now due to these allegations and he is in the company of the likes of Ray Lewis, Joe Mixon, Kareem Hunt, Ray Rice etc,. I obviously don't know any of these guys personally, but many fans have not so good opinions of them.

Getting to the Watson situation, I found this video interesting. First, I am smart enough to know that this is a legal answer by the defendant answering charges in a civil case. I expect it to read such that it puts the defendant in as positive light as possible. I also don't know if it is illegal to "lie" in your written answer to charges or not, so maybe someone with true legal knowledge can answer that.

I have seen it implied many times on this board that it is nearly impossible for the allegations to not be true just because of the large number of plaintiffs. I don't necessarily agree with this, mainly because of the money potential involved. Of course, one or all, could be telling the truth, but to me it is also quite possible that a few or even a good portion of the plaintiffs could have been recruited with the promise of financial reward. The same argument regarding the number of those being proof something happened, then 5-6 plaintiffs who the defense claims to have witness accounts from family members that they weren't traumatized and even some wanting to cash in, could be extrapolated that all 26+ were not being truthful and just in it for the money also.

If you would not think this could involve a conspiracy regarding the attorney and the first few plaintiffs recruiting others, and maybe even the Texans being involved in some level, I feel that is naive and has to at least considered as a possibility. . Money has great influence, and it does horrible things to people. I have seen it tear families apart.

I have seen Watson referred to on these boards and Facebook as a perv, a rapist, a sick human being etc, and he may well be, but he also could be completely innocent. I don't know him and neither do almost any of the posters here.

I have a wife, 2 daughters a, a daughter-in-law and a 6 year old granddaughter. I don't however, feel we must believe all women, every time. Theare too many cases where many people have been harmed with false allegations. These types of crimes and allegations are very difficult to prove in civil court & criminal court especially. It's too bad we don't have true lie detectors that are admissible, because if I were accused the first thing I would do if demand polygraph tests for all parties.

So anyway, I have no idea what the truth is and neither does anyone else other than the accusers and Watson. I refuse to label the man and I obviously would prefer he be innocent, and his defense puts doubt on the claims.

I also completely reject the claims that he is guilty because he settled a few of these cases. I have personally known of civil suits brought against innocent people who settle on advice of their insurance company because it costs less than a year of legal fees. He may be guilty but it no way implies guilt to me.

I feel this will never be settled and even if either side present compelling evidence to their case, many will never change their opinion that has been based on media representations of information.


OK, I am done, I will remain a Browns fan and hope everyone on the team has success on the field.