Clarifying the Misunderstanding Around Deshaun Watson‘s Fourth-Down Play
As the saying goes, a lie makes it halfway around the world before the truth can put its pants on. When social media gets involved, a mischaracterization does, too.
Currently, a feeding frenzy has emerged regarding the tenuous status of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. A moment during Sunday’s game against the Commanders has become the latest subject of speculation, leading to confusion and engagement on social platforms.
A video was perceived as Watson refusing to stay on the field for a fourth-down play. Watson walked off as his teammates remained, leading to a cut to coach Kevin Stefanski, who looked exasperated by the turn of events. This was interpreted as Stefanski becoming frustrated with Watson’s apparent decision to quit on the drive.
However, the truth behind the situation has been chasing the falsehood for more than 24 hours. Stefanski explained post-game that the Browns had too many men in the huddle, prompting the shift to a field goal attempt. After a delay of game penalty, what started as fourth and goal from the 8 became fourth and goal from the 13, solidifying the decision to take three points.
Many valid reasons exist for questioning Cleveland’s decision to stick with Watson. His hefty contract has seemingly kept the organization from making a change. Still, the external calls for Watson’s benching should not include the notion that he refused to attempt a fourth-down play.
When fans and media witness circumstances like those in the video, the unusual nature of such situations requires an effort to determine the actual events. Given that Stefanski is available to reporters after every game, it made sense to hear his perspective before passing judgment.
This doesn’t mean coaches always fully disclose the truth in these situations. For a scenario as uncommon as a player appearing to quit on a drive while teammates are ready, we should expect something more substantial than a brief video snippet that could intensify narratives of dysfunction.
It’s essential to recognize that although the Browns have several pressing issues, the case surrounding Watson’s alleged walk-off is not among them.
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