Radio host Dan Patrick: Deshaun Watson making Cleveland Browns 'not must-see TV'
Count veteran sports broadcaster Dan Patrick among those who didn’t appreciate the comments to come from Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson recently.
In his first training camp appearance, Watson blamed the media for “directing and narrating” in reference to his off-the-field troubles related to sexual abuse lawsuits last year. Patrick, on “The Dan Patrick Show,” airing on radio (WARF 1350 AM locally) and streaming on Peacock, provided a reality check.
“But he can't be blaming the media, not for the coverage. What happened, any of that. He has to just avoid these landmines there. Just if you want to talk about it, I'm changing. I need to change,” he said. “If you don't want to admit there's no culpability or whatever you want to say in avoiding some of these things, you don't want to create a headline here.
“You're a quarterback on a team that right now is polarizing. It feels like they're not must-see TV. If Deshaun Watson didn't have this off the field, then he would be a must-see quarterback.”
By all accounts, the Browns went to the Greenbrier in West Virginia to avoid distractions. Given the remoteness of the resort and the complaints about cell and Internet service I’ve heard about, they very well may be possible. But Patrick is right, Watson’s statements do not help the situation.
Last year when he returned to the field the predominant headline was: “Watson sticks to football.” What allegedly happened with the women is his burden to bear for as long as he plays. His recent statements have been perceived as a lack of contrition.
He might attempt to stick with his strategy from last year and keep it to football.
Patrick offered another salient point.
“Well, he is blaming others. That's the problem I have. You take ownership of it and now move on,” he said. “We've moved on with a lot of athletes in my 40 years of doing this. Take ownership, move on. And people might invest in you.”
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Dan Patrick: Deshaun Watson making Browns 'not must-see TV'
