Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans
Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
CLEVELAND — Anthony Lima, a longtime radio host and media personality in Northeast Ohio, has noticed consensus among Browns fans is rare. During his 15-year tenure with The Ken Carman Show, Lima witnessed debates surrounding a slew of Cleveland football figures. These debates typically saw fans either championing or moving on from a player, coach, or executive.
Even Johnny Manziel, the former Heisman Trophy winner, received supporters during Lima’s time on the air. However, the reaction to Deshaun Watson being named the Browns' starting quarterback less than 48 hours after publicly clashing with fans who booed him during the preseason loss to the Bills has been different. Unlike past scenarios, Cleveland fans now seem united in their disapproval of Watson.
"I can't remember anything like this," Lima told Front Office Sports on Monday morning. "Like, yeah, fans were against Dwayne Bowe and Kenny Britt towards the end, but that's normal stuff. Every NFL team has a villain that they can't believe they're paying. But this is insanity." Lima's sentiments were echoed on social media, with several NFL media personalities, such as ESPN's Dan Orlovsky, Mina Kimes, and Kyle Brandt, expressing negative reactions to the Browns’ announcement.
Some have called for a boycott of the team, questioned the moral dilemma placed on the fanbase, and tried to make sense of the franchise's decision to name Watson as their starting quarterback 17 months before he was once again named the team's starter. On Tuesday morning, somebody taped multiple signs denouncing Watson to a statue of Jim Brown at Huntington Bank Field.
This act of amateur vandalism fits into the overwhelming reaction on social media and several fans interviewed by Front Office Sports on Monday. Chris McNeil, who runs the popular REFLOG18 social media account, stated that this was the angriest Browns fans had been since the team was moved to Baltimore in 1996. "It's back to the 'Jump Art' days, where people are now galvanized against Deshaun Watson," McNeil said.
"It takes a lot to have the entire Browns fandom against you. But Deshaun Watson's played himself into that unique position."
Written by urgent.news from Front Office Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
