Browns’ Deshaun Watson Decision Sparks Backlash as Fans Cover Stadium Statue with Signs Blasting QB

Natasha DyeTue, August 25, 2026 at 7:23 PM UTC

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Deshaun Watson on Oct. 6, 2024 in MarylandCredit: Patrick Smith/Getty -

Signs slamming the Browns and Deshaun Watson were taped onto the Jim Brown statue at the team’s stadium after he was announced as the starting quarterback

One sign said, “Permanent damage to the city and franchise”

An employee from the Browns reportedly removed the signs on Tuesday, Aug. 25

Cleveland Browns fans are not happy with the team’s decision to make Deshaun Watson their starting quarterback.

The Browns announced on Monday, Aug. 24 that Watson, 30, will open the season as the starting quarterback over Shedeur Sanders. The news surprised fans and analysts, with ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky saying, “I feel awful for the fans.”

One day after the decision was made, signs bashing Watson were taped onto the statue of Browns great Jim Brown at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.

Fox 8 reporter Jessica Dill reported on Tuesday, Aug. 25 that “someone from the Cleveland Browns just came down and removed these signs from the Jim Brown statue outside the stadium.”

Deshaun Watson on Aug. 22, 2026 in Cleveland, OhioCredit: Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty

“Fans clearly not happy with the Deshaun Watson starting quarterback news,” Dill added Tuesday.

One of the signs — written in black marker on white cardboard and secured to the statue using red tape — said, “$280,000,000 / 27+ victims / Zero Regrets / “No Regrets” / Millions of Fans Held Hostage / 0-16 Was More Fun.”

The second sign read, “Cleveland is done with the Haslams and their fre4k Waston,” using the number four to represent Watson’s jersey number. Jimmy and Dee Haslam purchased the Browns in October 2012.

A third sign, shared by photojournalist Dan Stamness, said, “Permanent damage to the city and franchise.”

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Watson was heavily booed by fans during the Browns’ preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 22. After the game, he called out the fans for being “disrespectful.”

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“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do about the performance,” Watson said. “It’s a little bit [more] personal than that. So I think it’s a disrespectful thing. So yeah, I mean, I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. And yeah, just move on.”

On Monday, Watson apologized to the fans and said his “emotions got the best of me.” He opened his press conference by telling reporters: “My comments wasn’t intending to go at any of the fans around in the city because there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me, and I know the frustration this organization has put a lot of investment in coming to get me back in 2022.”

Watson continued, “I understand the frustration. I understand everything that kind of goes into that. Moving forward, I just want to focus on football, making sure that you know I’m putting the best product out there, having the best ability, you know, because I thrive off the energy. I thrive off the energy of the fans.”

Deshaun Watson on Jan. 12, 2020 in Kansas CityCredit: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty

He added, “I’m a human. I take full responsibility of that, and you know, just moving forward, I want to make sure that I put the best part up for the team, for the organization, and for the city, so we can put a lot of wins and make sure that I celebrate and put Cleveland on the map.”

Fans’ disdain of Watson stems from the dozens of accusations of sexual misconduct that surfaced against him in 2021.

He was first accused of sexual assault by a Houston massage therapist on March 16, 2021. The woman, who later came forward as Ashley Solis, filed a civil lawsuit against Watson, alleging he exposed himself and purposely touched her hand with his penis during a massage appointment at her home. Watson denied any wrongdoing.

Deshaun Watson on Oct. 20, 2024 in Cleveland, OhioCredit: Jason Miller/Getty

After the initial accusation, the number of women accusing Watson of indecent acts during massage therapy appointments grew to 24. Watson faced 10 filed criminal complaints, however, two separate Texas grand juries both declined to indict Watson on any criminal charges.

The NFL eventually gave Watson an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine.

Watson was traded from the Texans to the Browns in 2022, with the quarterback signing a deal worth $230 million guaranteed. The former first-round pick did not suit up for the Texans in 2021.

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Source: “AOL Breaking”