Fans wanted Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to be ejected from their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. But neither the officials nor the TV crew spotted any malice when he shoved one of the referees away.
Football may be a contact sport, but that doesn’t mean players can just walk up to the match officials and have their way with them. It’s unethical and unsportsmanlike conduct.
However, Watson scampered to the sidelines and was flagged for a personal foul for grabbing Kwon Alexander‘s helmet. The 28-year-old lost his cool and started shouting at the Steelers bench, mainly at receiver George Pickens. He then pushed a referee, who tried to calm the Browns man down. Before the situation went out of hand, two Cleveland tight ends, David Njoku and Ethan Pocic, dragged Deshaun Watson away from the scene.
As per NFL guidelines, misbehavior with the officials could result in an ejection from the game. Typically, a 15-yard penalty is issued, but apart from a yellow flag, Watson did not receive further punishment.
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When a short clip of the shove went viral on social media, fans demanded punishment for the three-time Pro Bowler. They were left scratching their heads as to why no one on the ground bothered to raise the question in the first place.
Social Media claimed that the NFL protects Deshaun Watson too much. They want to see some sort of penalty.
There goes Deshaun Watson with illegal touching and not getting in trouble for it. Smh
— Michael Cima (@Ci_World) September 19, 2023Maybe if he does it 23 more times they will suspend him 11 games
— Bandwagon Sports (@BandwagonSp0rts) September 19, 2023Because he’s above the law as we’ve already seen
— Lost In Boston Sports (@LostBoston1) September 19, 2023Deshaun Watson is used to putting his hands in places where they shouldn’t
— Drip (@mayfieldtoevans) September 19, 2023Why does the #NFL protect Watson so much? 🤔
— 𝑍ᴀᴄᴋ Ꮹɪᴀɴɪɴᴏ (@ZackGianino) September 19, 2023In the realm of sports, where competition and adrenaline collide in a theater of physical prowess, the rules are the backbone of fairness and decorum. Shoving an official is not just a breach of these rules but also an erosion of the mutual respect that should exist between…
— L. Ron Hubbard (Parody) (@FakeLRonHubbard) September 19, 2023Wait you’re telling me Deshaun Watson doesn’t respect rules about touching others???
— Bye Jerry Sullivan (@ByGerrySullivan) September 19, 2023Watson getting handsy with someone doing their job where have I heard this one before
— Dank Archer 🐝 🌼 (@NavoSchmavo) September 19, 2023It wasn’t great for Watson, who threw a pick-6 on his first snap that ended up giving the Steelers the lead. He got called for two face-mask-grabbing penalties on a drive that ended in a Browns fumble. With just seven minutes left on the clock, rusher T.J. Watt sacked Watson for a 17-yard dash to the end zone. Deshaun Watson ended the game with 22-of-40 pass attempts for 235 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and two lost fumbles.
The Browns’ night got worse when running back Nick Chubb broke his left leg. He was later carted off and taken to the hospital, and he most likely spent a chunk of the season on the sidelines.
The Cleveland Browns will now visit the Tennessee Titans at First Energy Stadium on September 24. If they want to turn around their season, this is the game they have to target the most. However, it will be difficult without Chubb’s darting runs from the backfield.
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