On Sunday, NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN published quite a controversial story ahead of Deshaun Watson’s debut start for the Cleveland Browns following his 11-game suspension due to sexual misconduct and assault allegations.
Published early Sunday morning ahead of Watson’s first start of the season, the story from Adam Schefter story cited “one source connected to Watson’s treatment program” anonymously saying that Deshaun Watson showed “signs of progress” during his mandatory treatment program.
“He’s been progressing well and he wants to continue with it, and they feel it’s helping him,” the unnamed source told Schefter. “It’s just sort of ongoing as needed and it’ll be ongoing until it’s not needed anymore. And I think it’s given him a lot of help and support. But this could take a while.”
Regardless of his intent, the story came across as irresponsible journalism from Schefter to many in the NFL world, with some accusing Schefter of shilling and carrying water for Watson and the league ahead of his return to the field on Sunday afternoon.
It’s certainly not a good look for one of the most notorious league insiders in the entire NFL media world, and it’s safe to say that he took plenty of heat for it.
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