Jim Brown statue outside Browns' stadium used to send Deshaun Watson message

CLEVELAND (AP) — Someone taped signs on Hall of Famer Jim Brown's statue outside the Cleveland Browns ' stadium criticizing the team for having quarterback Deshaun Watson on its roster because of his checkered past.

Coach Todd Monken announced Monday that Watson, who was booed at home in Saturday's 31-7 loss to Buffalo in a preseason game, will enter the season as the starting quarterback. Watson, making his first appearance in 22 months because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, lashed out at the fans afterward and called the booing “personal.”

Watson's presence in Cleveland has been controversial since he signed a guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in 2022.

He was suspended the first 11 games of that season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. More than two dozen women accused Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions.

Watson also was fined $5 million and force to undergo an evaluation before he could be reinstated.

One of the signs posted on Brown's statue read:

"$280,000,000

27+ VICTIMS

ZERO SUPPORTERS"

Another sign called Watson's presence on the team “PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE CITY & FRANCHISE.”

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here