Speaking to the media for the first time since August, Deshaun Watson refused to answer any questions that weren't directly about football Thursday as he prepares to return to the field for the first time in nearly two years.
during massage sessions while he was a member of the Texans. After being traded to the Browns, Watson was punished with an 11-game suspension, $5 million fine and mandated counseling.
As his first meeting with the media since Aug. 18 began, Watson advised reporters that his legal and clinical teams had told him to only answer"football questions." When the first query was looking for insight into what he might have learned from his time away and counseling, Watson stuck to his team's advice.
"I respect your question and I understand, but that's more in that phase of clinical and legal stuff that I've been advised to stay away from and keep that personal," said Watson, who settled with 23 of the women suing him, but still has two lawsuits pending. Watson, who the Texans drafted in the first round in 2017, played four seasons in Houston before refusing to suit up in 2021, meaning his return to NRG Stadium will be his first game action, not counting the preseason games he played in this year, in 700 days. Watson said he was excited to get back on the field but not more motivated because his return will be in Houston.
"I respect the whole organization of the Houston Texans; I respect the McNair family; I respect everyone that was there that drafted me in 2017," Watson said."It's been great memories, fun memories. I still have a home in Houston. I still have friends and family that's still in Houston. Relationships that's still there. Some of the players on the team I played with or seen maybe came up from practice squad or injuries. I'm excited to get in front of all those fans.
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