Day: December 7, 2024

The NFL has ended an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. 

They had been reviewing the case for months, debating whether Watson should be punished or not. 

“The matter is closed,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday in an email to The Associated Press. “There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.”

Watson, who got an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault in Texas by a woman in September. She wanted over $1 million in damages before the parties reached a confidential settlement. 

Deshaun denied the allegations through his attorney, Rusty Hardin. He had suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in October, and had been recovering with hopes of coming back next season. 

Pittsburgh Steelers’ George Pickens had some comments about the uneventful match between the Browns and Steelers that happened last Sunday. 

But one thing that remained unchanged is the rivalry between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Pickens did not even recognize the existence of Browns’ defender Greg Newsome. He told reporters “I don’t even know who that is,” on Friday.

Pickens was not exactly professional when speaking on the Steelers loss to the Browns. After losing 24-19 to them and getting into an altercation with Greg Newsome II, he maintained that he did not think Cleveland was a good team. 

Statistically speaking, Pickens was correct. The Browns are all but knocked out of the playoff contention at 3-9, falling short of expectations after ending 11-6 and reaching the playoffs last term. 

He  doubled down on his stance Friday.

“I just go by the record,” Pickens said.

When asked if Cleveland were getting bulletin board material, he kept it simple: “I don’t know what motivates them. I’m just focused on what we can do.”