Cleveland Browns star quarterback Deshaun Watson adopted within the footsteps of Cam Newton by internet hosting an inaugural seven-on-seven summer season soccer event in Akron this week.
“That is one thing I’ve at all times dreamed of doing as a result of because of this I began,” Watson stated on the occasion, per Shaun Bennett of The Chronicle-Telegram. “I used to be in the identical place when Cam Newton did his first annual seven-on-seven camp and I used to be one of many first ones to participate. After that, we stayed in contact, nonetheless to today, so that you by no means know if one among these children would possibly do the identical factor and be a man that I communicate with over the following decade and watch their profession progress.”
For a bit revealed in November 2015, ESPN famous how Watson performed in Newton’s all-star seven-on-seven camp as a junior in highschool. That was earlier than Newton earned NFL Most Invaluable Participant honors for the 2015 season and earlier than Watson turned a three-time Professional Bowl choice with the Houston Texans.
As Ashley Bastock of the Cleveland Plain Seller identified, it was additionally earlier than Houston traded Watson to Cleveland in March 2022 and earlier than Watson served an 11-game suspension final fall associated to allegations of sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage classes.
Two grand juries in the end declined to indict Watson, however he understandably remains a polarizing figure amongst Cleveland followers and others throughout the NFL neighborhood. The 27-year-old continues to embrace his recent begin in Northeast Ohio, one which presently entails no risk of punishment from the league not like what he skilled final July.
“I’ve a little bit bit extra consciousness of the neighborhood and the town now and I wish to do what I’m focused on,” Watson defined. “So me and the (Browns) and my private crew have all acquired collectively and simply put ourselves ready to have the ability to attain out to completely different communities to have the ability to assist individuals.”
Watson went 3-3 throughout his first six regular-season begins with the Browns and accomplished 58.2% of 170 go makes an attempt for 1,102 yards with seven touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He additionally rushed for 175 yards and a rating on 36 carries.
He and Cleveland open the upcoming marketing campaign at residence versus the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 10.
