Deshaun Watson welcomed with cheers during first fan day of Browns training camp

BEREA — As Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson strolled onto the practice field during Saturday's training camp in Berea, everyone was wondering how fans were going to react.

It was the first open practice and was the first opportunity for Browns fans to see their new and controversial quarterback.

Watson, who was accused of sexual misconduct by 24 massage therapists and has settled 20 of the civil lawsuits, was met with cheers and no audible boos.

A bit anticlimactic for Watson, who signed a five-year, $230 million fully-guaranteed contract as the Browns acquired him in a trade with the Houston Texans in March.

The Browns are waiting to hear a final decision on the immediate future of their quarterback from NFL disciplinary officer, Sue L. Robinson, who was appointed by the league and the NFL Players Association.

Watson's hearing took place June 28-30, with the post-hearing briefs submitted to Robinson on July 12. A decision on a possible suspension is expected to come next week.

There were a handful of Watson jerseys sprinkled through the stands and one of those was Kurtis Clark, who offered up applause when Watson made his way onto the field.

"There are people on both sides of the fence," Clark said. "There are people who want to support him and people who don't and I don't blame either one side for their feelings. I haven't seen anything negative towards him from the fanbase so far."

With four lawsuits still unsettled and an impending suspension likely to soon to be handed down, Clark hopes Robinson will take into consideration the two Texas grand juries who declined to bring charges on Watson.

"In my complete opinion, he was cleared by two grand juries," Clark said. "In my eyes, you are innocent until proven guilty and he was never proven guilty so he is innocent. I don't think the Browns would have pulled the trigger if he wasn't."

Still, he sees the other side. He sympathizes with the female fanbase, but still offers up his support to the quarterback.

"Allegations are heavy no matter what they are," Clark said. "When it comes to stories, you have to see both sides of it and see where the other side is coming from, especially when it comes to female fans. They may not feel as comfortable as someone like me, but at the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and mine is pro-Deshaun Watson."

Clark’s mother, Connie, a die-hard Nick Chubb fan, is a member of that female Browns fanbase. The last thing she is going to do is pass judgement on anyone, let alone the quarterback of her favorite team.

"I just don't know," Connie Clark said. "I think there is validation on both sides. I really do. I think that mine is not to judge, that is for God. I am a football fan and as long as someone is playing for my favorite team, I am going to cheer for them. That is just how it has to be. My job isn't to judge, it is to cheer them on to a Super Bowl."

According to Draft Kings Sportsbook, the Browns are +3000 (approximately 30-to-1) odds to win the 2023 Super Bowl, odds that are sure to get worse once a suspension is handed down. But Connie Clark is committed to doing her job and hopes more people join her.

"I think the world is in a whole form of distress and everyone wants to blame everyone else for everything," she said. "Everyone needs something to hang on to. Listen, life is uncertain in so many aspects above and beyond football and sports. I don't think you can let one committee convince you on what you are supposed to believe and how you are supposed to react and not react.

"The minute you become part of a group, you have taken on that opinion. I like to keep mine solely mine. People shouldn't be as influenced by other people. If they didn't I think the world would be happier."

On the other side of the field, Zane Harmon and his sister Elizabeth had front-row seats for the action. Zane was wearing a Watson jersey t-shirt, a purchase he wrestled with for a long time before finally taking the leap.

"At the beginning, there was a lot of opposition," Zane Harmon said. "That kind of scared me away from buying a jersey in the beginning. I was kind of iffy, but I went and bought one and I support him. With everything I have heard about the investigation and the lack of evidence, I am behind him."

Zane Harmon also sees both sides of the argument. He also is hoping to hear sooner rather than later on the future of the quarterback whose name graced the back of his shirt.

"I see both sides," Zane Harmon said. "I just hate that it is happening. I won't say that it is because of money, but when he signed $230 million worth of contracts, it seems odd timing. The Texans, an entire organization, settled so I would think a judge would have had a decision by now. It is annoying at this point. I just want a decision."

Elizabeth also found the timing of the investigation odd. She doesn’t recall hearing much about the case before the trade was made and the contract was signed.

"I feel like they don't have as much evidence," Elizabeth Harmon said. "I feel like they are going after him because he signed for such a large amount of money. He really didn't get this much attention before he signed."

Whether they agree with it or not, Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, is their quarterback and Browns fans seem to have welcomed him with open arms. Much is certain to change in the near future after the NFL argued for an indefinite suspension of at least a year and the NFL Players Association pushed for no punishment with the goal of allowing Watson to play this season.

A fanbase that has grown accustomed to quarterback uncertainty is back in an all too familiar place.

jfurr@gannett.com

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Twitter: @JakeFurr11

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns Deshaun Watson received quiet welcome during training camp