Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was pulled over and cited for speeding last month, and he pleaded not guilty on Wednesday morning, just days before the team’s season opener.
Watson, according to Cleveland.com, was pulled over on Interstate 480 in Cleveland around 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 26, the day before the team’s final preseason game. Watson was spotted by police driving 86 mph in a 60 mph zone.
Watson was pulled over and cited, and he pleaded not guilty in Cleveland Municipal Court on Wednesday. He is due in court for a bench trial now on Sept. 23, just days before the team’s home opener against the Carolina Panthers. The Browns named Watson their starting quarterback to open the season after a preseason battle with Shedeur Sanders. He had been the team’s presumed starter since they signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million after landing him in a trade with the Houston Texans in 2022. But Watson has struggled since then, battled multiple Achilles injuries and was also suspended by the NFL for 11 games amid several lawsuits for sexual misconduct.
Watson was even booed multiple times by Browns fans during their preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, and he called out Browns fans after that moment, too.
"I think the whole world knows, it has nothing to do about performance," Watson said of the boos. "It's a little bit [more] personal than that. It's a disrespectful thing. I'm going to keep whatever I feel between me and my family. "The Browns went just 5-12 last season, and have since hired Todd Monken to replace former head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Watson and the Browns will open the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in Florida.