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Myles Garrett and Jameis Winston complain about Browns fans cheering after Deshaun Watson's injury


Myles Garrett and Jameis Winston complain about Browns fans cheering after Deshaun Watson's injury

As Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson lay on the ground after suffering an Achilles tendon injury on a non-contact play during the team's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field, sarcastic cheers rang out from the home fans in the stands.

After the game, Browns players and coaches expressed displeasure with the reaction and said fans “should be ashamed.”

“We don't boo guys who are hurt on the field, especially when the car comes out,” Cleveland star pass rusher Myles Garrett said. “We should be ashamed as Browns and as fans for booing and bringing anyone down. (Watson is) not perfect, he doesn't have to be. None of us are expected to be perfect.”

“I can't judge him by what he does off the field or on the field because I can't throw stones out of my glass house, but we have to do better.” Do better on the football field and do it better as fans if you have some empathy for a man who is doing his best and has done his best up to this point. We have to do better.”

According to a league source, Watson reportedly tore his Achilles tendon during a second-quarter play against the Bengals. He was taken away with a towel over his head.

The 29-year-old, who has faced dozens of lawsuits from women alleging sexual assault or harassment, is in his third season with Cleveland after signing a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract with the Browns in 2022. The eventual defeat on Sunday against Cincinnati, Cleveland is 9-10 in games started by Watson.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski echoed Garrett's words, telling reporters, “I don't think it's ever OK to cheer when someone's hurt.” I'm sure not everyone in the building does that, but yeah, it’s disappointing.”

Cleveland cornerback Greg Newsome II called the reaction “bulls” and said he noticed it immediately from the field.

Backup quarterback Jameis Winston — who began the day as the Browns' emergency quarterback and stepped in later in the fourth quarter — appeared close to tears as he addressed the crowd.

“I am deeply dismayed by the response to a man who has had the world against him for the last four years and who puts his body and his life on the line every day for this city,” Winston said. “Regardless of your perception, regardless of what you think should happen to him, he has worked every day to ensure I am here to be the best he can be for this team.”

Winston ended his answer by saying how much he appreciated the passion of the “incredible fans,” but said he learned from his childhood in Birmingham, Alabama, to “never dress up a man when he's down.”

“I don’t want the treatment that Deshaun Watson received from these passionate fans,” Winston added. “I know you've loved this game since I got here. I knew they were some great fans. But Deshaun was treated badly and now he has another obstacle to overcome.”

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(Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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