RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Stephen A. Smith’s infamous Deshaun Watson rant has resurfaced after the Cleveland Browns named Watson their starting quarterback for Week 1.
The decision came after Watson and Shedeur Sanders remained locked in a close battle throughout the preseason, with the Browns ultimately favouring Watson’s experience.
Watson’s selection also comes just days after a difficult outing against the Buffalo Bills, when he completed 5 of 12 passes for 35 yards and an interception before being booed by the Cleveland crowd. He later described the reaction as ‘disrespectful’.
That combination has brought one of Smith’s most memorable moments back into the spotlight.
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Stephen A. Smith’s Deshaun Watson rant resurfaces ahead of the NFL season
Smith was particularly critical of Watson during his difficult spell with the Browns, delivering a line that quickly became one of his most memorable television moments.
‘Deshaun Watson is awful,’ Smith said. ‘It’s so awful that if someone wanted to arrest him for being awful, I would accept it.’
The delivery was enough to leave the studio laughing at the time. Now, with Watson back in the news and preparing to start for Cleveland again, NFL fans have revived the clip.
The timing makes the clip even more relevant.
Watson has played only 19 games for Cleveland and recorded 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions during that spell.
Now he has another opportunity to change the conversation, beginning with the Browns’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13.
Shedeur Sanders will start the season as his backup, but Jordan Schultz reported that Watson will still have to keep earning the job once the regular season begins.
For now, Smith’s old rant has become relevant all over again. Watson has the starting role, and his performances will determine whether the Browns’ decision looks justified.
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