Deshaun Watson seemed to have his sights set on either the Falcons or Panthers earlier this year when the star QB was looking for his next team amid the legal trouble he put himself in after allegedly sexual assaulting and violating dozens of Houston-area massage therapists.
As we all know now, Watson ended up choosing the unlikeliest of suitors in the Browns, a team synonymous with losing and irrelevant in the realm of landing big-name free agents much-less one of the brightest stars in the game.
Well, we seem to have finally uncovered why Watson chose Cleveland at his new home.
The American Massage Therapy Association will hold its annual conference at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland later this month in the shadows of First Energy Stadium.
The convention will kick off August 25 and conclude on the 27th.
In addition to continuing education and other member benefits, AMTA, as an organization, advocates “for the issues important to massage therapists” across the country, including state and federal policies and fair licensing. But the organization has also spoken out against Deshaun Watson and the NFL.
AMTA released a statement condemning the mere six game suspension handed down by a judge as punishment for Watson and the allegations against him.
AMTA strongly believes that any client who steps over the line to inappropriate touch should face the legal consequences. And it’s disappointing to see such a relatively light punishment from the NFL levied toward Deshaun Watson in their findings of his violation of the league’s personal-conduct policy.
If the NFL is concerned about professionalism and upholding high standards in the league, creating a safe workplace for all members of athletes’ care teams should be a priority. We hope the league is taking measures to ensure that the massage therapists on the Browns’ personnel and throughout the NFL, as well as those supporting individual athletes, are able to work in a safe and professional environment.
The alleged behavior, and the language used by the legal team and others involved in this case put professional, licensed massage therapists at risk by condoning inappropriate conduct in a massage environment.
The NFL has appealed the judge’s decision with intent to increase the star QB’s suspension.
