Cleveland Browns draw backlash after social post marking Deshaun Watson’s birthday
Team's X post on the QB's 30th birthday prompted angry responses as Watson remains sidelined by a ruptured Achilles and a history of misconduct allegations
The Cleveland Browns faced a wave of criticism on social media after posting a birthday message for quarterback Deshaun Watson on Sunday, drawing angry replies from fans still critical of the player's off-field history and his limited on-field contributions since arriving in Cleveland.
The post, shared on X to mark Watson’s 30th birthday on Sept. 14, 2025, prompted responses such as “Still time to delete,” “read the room” and “tone def,” with some followers suggesting the team should not celebrate the embattled quarterback amid lingering controversies. The message was posted ahead of the Browns’ game on Sunday in Maryland.
Watson, acquired by Cleveland from the Houston Texans in March 2022 in a trade that cost the Browns multiple high draft picks, has been at the center of numerous civil suits alleging sexual misconduct. According to court filings, several women accused Watson of inappropriate and nonconsensual conduct during massage sessions over a period beginning in fall 2019 and lasting roughly 17 months. Two grand juries declined to press criminal charges in connection with complaints brought against him. Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, has called the allegations false and said any sexual contact was consensual.
After the trade, Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns. The player later agreed to settle most of the civil lawsuits, and the NFL imposed an 11-game suspension related to the matter. Injuries have further limited Watson’s availability; he has appeared in 19 games for Cleveland since 2022 and carried a 9-10 record in those starts. Watson is expected to miss the 2025 season after suffering a ruptured Achilles.
With Watson sidelined, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has taken the lead role in Cleveland’s offense. Younger quarterbacks on the roster, including rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, have been preparing for potential opportunities behind Flacco.
Fans’ critical responses to the birthday post reflected both outrage over the past allegations and frustration with Watson’s performance and availability. Some commenters offered sarcastic remarks aimed at the team’s social-media staff, while others bluntly urged the Browns to delete the message.
The Browns have not issued a public statement expanding on the social post. Team communications are often handled through official platforms such as X and the club’s website; teams have varied in how they address sensitive player-related controversies. The reaction underscores the continued sensitivity among portions of the fanbase about the organization’s decision to acquire Watson and the broader scrutiny professional teams face when highlighting players with contentious public profiles.
The episode comes as the Browns navigate a season with altered quarterback depth and public attention on roster choices. The team’s handling of communications about players whose careers have been shaped by legal, disciplinary and injury-related developments may continue to draw scrutiny from fans and media alike as the season progresses.