Deshaun Watson apologizes after criticising Browns fans for booing him in preseason

Deshaun Watson apologizes after criticising Browns fans for booing him in preseason originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Cleveland Browns made their starting quarterback decision, naming Deshaun Watson as QB1 over Shedeur Sanders amid this close competition.

But for many Browns fans, this wasn’t the decision they were hoping for. They made their thoughts known when they booed him in Cleveland during the second preseason game. After getting booed, Watson called out those fans, criticizing them for booing him.

That criticism didn’t go over well, and some in the industry believed it could impact his QB1 odds. Todd Monken explained it didn’t, but after being named the starter, Watson, in his press conference to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com and other reporters, apologized to browns fans for his comments recently.

Deshaun Watson apologizes for postgame criticism of Browns fans

“You know, human nature, myself being very emotional, putting a lot of time these last two years to get back and spend time in this facility and this city…” Watson said. “I thought I was going to get a little different response… but I think my emotions got the best of me. My comments wasn’t intended to go at any of the fans in the city.”

#Browns Deshaun Watson apologizes for his postgame remarks, saying he’s human. Wants to win for the fans: pic.twitter.com/LXbIvkPgdO

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 24, 2026

Watson wasn’t a fan of being booed, as he believed coming back from his multiple Achilles injuries should’ve granted him a warmer reception to his return.

But his first game action in front of the Browns’ fanbase resulted in him being booed. Almost any other QB in the same situation would’ve been cheered for making their return after over a year from such a brutal set of injuries.

That didn’t happen for Watson, and after the game, he criticized the fans for booing him, expressing his frustration that his work to get back wasn’t appreciated.

Now, a few days later, he’s apologized to Browns fans for his comments, explaining that his emotions got the best of him.

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He is still clearly not a fan of the reception Browns fans gave him in this second preseason game. But he is acknowledging that he shouldn’t have made the comments he made during his postgame press conference.

“So again, my emotions got the best of me. I’m human,” Watson said. “I take full responsibility of that. And just moving forward, I want to make sure that I put the best product for the team, for the organization and for this city…”

Watson won’t be playing in the third and final preseason game, and the Browns don’t play in Cleveland until Week 3.

Watson won’t have to face the boos from his home team for a few more weeks, but based on Browns fans’ reaction to Watson being the starter, the $230 million QB should expect to hear more boos if he’s starting in Week 3.

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