One More Thing Before I Go

I know I’ve already devoted (wasted) 2 posts on the whole Deshaun Watson situation, and I should probably just let it go, but I’m still really furious at the NFL, the Browns, and all those ignorant fans who don’t seem to grasp some of the basic facts about this fiasco.

So, here goes my current rant!

I’m really sick and tired of hearing, “Well, he was basically suspended all of last season already.” NO, he wasn’t. He demanded a trade and chose to sit out and not play! Houston Texans fans have a completely different perspective on that particular issue. The truth is that he quit on his team, got paid $10.5 million, and sat home by choice when he wasn’t out looking for massages.

I’m really sick and tired of hearing, “Why should he get a year-long suspension or more? Other NFL players have done worse things and gotten comparable suspensions.” NO, no one else has ever committed such a huge number of incidents as Watson. He didn’t just commit one or two violations. He did it over and over again.

Consider some of the other frequently mentioned players. If Ben Roethlisberger had been accused of sexually assaulting 24 women (instead of 1), would he have gotten more than a four game suspension? If Calvin Ridley had placed bets with 66 sports bookies in a 17 month period, do you think he would ever set foot on the field again? And what about Ray Lewis? If his incident had resulted in 24 people dead (instead of only 2), do you honestly think he would be in the NFL Hall of Fame? Some people (IMHO) just don’t seem shocked enough by the sheer number of incidents we are talking about!

And finally, I’m sick and tired of hearing, “He might be innocent. There were no criminal charges.” Face facts! Regardless of the arguments about the penalty (how many games or how big a fine), here’s the often overlooked reality. The INDEPENDENT arbitrator (former federal judge Sue L. Robinson) found him guilty of violating the league’s personal conduct policy “by engaging in sexual assault; by engaging in conduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person; and by engaging in conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL.” She looked at the evidence (very little of it actually), listened to Watson and his attorneys’ side of the story, and was convinced that his behavior was “egregious” and “unprecedented.”

Even after the final settlement, Watson is getting off light (in my opinion and that of many others). A $5 million fine is just a tiny fraction of the guaranteed $230 million contract he was given. And he still gets to come back this season. It’s a joke!

So, when the vulgar signs, and shirts, and chants from opposing fans start up again in Week 12, the NFL will get exactly what they deserve. Which is more than I can say for Watson himself.

 

Ezra Miller – The Flash?

 In a previous blog, I mentioned the actor Ezra Miller and compared him to the NFL’s Deshaun Watson. Currently, both are frequently on the news and rarely for good reason. I view them both in a similar light.

Just as Watson has besmirched the image of his entire organization and specifically his new team, Miller has done the same for his organization. Warner Bros/ Discovery is certainly not happy with the star of their unreleased Flash movie, and anyone connected with the studio’s DCEU branch is surely embarrassed by his conduct. Both young men are creating problems for their employers, and in my opinion, both need to be gone from the spotlight as quickly as possible.

(I know, I’m usually against “cancel” culture, but in this case, I’m perfectly okay with firing, dismissal, suspension, whatever!)

Since winning the coveted role of the Flash, Miller has been in almost constant trouble. After generally favorable reviews for his work in the Justice League films, Miller is set to star in the standalone Flash movie that has been delayed for quite some time. Many believe the delays are largely due to the troubled young actor himself. The studio is seriously considering replacing the actor, or possibly cancelling the entire movie! I doubt they will do this, but reshoots and edits are ongoing with future DC projects at stake depending on the ending. Miller could find himself replaced by the end of the movie that was supposed to make him a star!

In the last year alone, Miller has faced serious charges, and a variety of allegations involving strange and unusual behaviors. A Timeline of Ezra Miller's Controversies (people.com)

Watson meanwhile is now facing an 11 game suspension and a five million dollar fine. It could have (and should have) been worse until the NFL reached a settlement that will allow him on the field this season. And his first game back? In Houston. Where he committed his sexual assaults on 24+ women! As I have said before, the NFL doesn’t care about women. Their actions are obviously drowning out their words.

Let’s consider the similarities. Both are young. Miller is 29, Watson 26. Both are talented in their fields. Both are charming and charismatic. Both are extremely wealthy. Both are at the forefront of their respective organizations/teams. And sadly, both appear to be in severe need of psychological help! (IMHO)

To be fair, both have apologized. Sort of. If you count press conferences with carefully scripted, cautiously worded, unremorseful comments designed to check the right boxes and satisfy the masses.

As a Christian, I believe in forgiveness. Both of these young men are as deserving of forgiveness as anyone of us. BUT… There should still be consequences for actions. People who are guilty of such poor conduct as these men should not be rewarded. Should Miller get to star as the superhero on screen and make millions for doing so? NO! Should Watson get the highest guaranteed contract in the history of the NFL and play on TV week after week? NO!

So, what should we do? My opinion? Forgive them for their sins, but hold them accountable as well. Take away the spotlight and the glory and let them earn back our respect. Again, just my opinion.

Maybe it’s too late. Maybe our civilization and society have already fallen too far to be redeemed. Maybe there are too many fans who just don’t care anymore. So what if he’s mentally disturbed, if he can still act or throw a football well enough, we’ll come out and support him with our time, attention, and our money. Sad, but true, I’m afraid.

(For the sake of accuracy, Ezra Miller prefers the pronouns they/them, but I don’t play those stupid games, so I used the pronouns that actually apply. You know, in the real world where there are only two genders, and the English language has pronouns for masculine, feminine, or neuter nouns.)

The Cleveland Browns Disgrace

Regardless of what happens this week (or next) with Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns have already disgraced themselves and the entire NFL with their shameless behavior and outrageous decisions. They have created an ugly situation, and they have no one to blame but themselves.

To be fair, several other NFL franchises were lined up in pursuit of Watson despite the allegations against him, and most were fully prepared to do whatever they could to win his services. Cleveland went above and beyond to land the quarterback and now seem to be willing to sell their souls to protect and defend him against all opposition. I feel sorry for the fans who are now expected to cheer for a sexual predator to lead them to the “promised land.” Is winning a Super Bowl worth the cost of your integrity and dignity?

Watson had already spurned the Browns and crossed them off his list of possible trade destinations, but instead of giving up, the team went all-in to create an offer he couldn’t refuse. Other NFL owners are apparently not too happy with the eventual deal.  NFL teams take issue with Deshaun Watson's 'rigged' contract: report | Fox News And why would they be? The largest guaranteed contract in league history? Given to the player responsible for the most negative press coverage the league has ever faced?

Let’s consider how they got here.

First, they proclaimed that they had thoroughly researched all the allegations against Watson and were “comfortable enough” with what they had learned to sign him. Of course, they talked mainly to Watson and his own team of attorneys, and hardly anyone else. They didn’t talk to any of his accusers or their lawyer. But we’re supposed to believe that because no criminal charges were filed, he must be innocent, right? Sorry, but if you’ve read any of the statements from the victims, you might feel differently. (Links are available in my previous blog on Watson A Writer's Life: Go (ADWFTH) Texans! (rdperryauthor.blogspot.com)

Next, they offered him more guaranteed money than anyone in the entire NFL! As the contract currently stands, the Browns will pay him $230 million over the next five years. (In case you’re wondering, that’s $79.4 million more than the next highest guaranteed deal.) I guess the poor guy needs all the money he can get to settle all those civil suits (otherwise known as paying off his victims so they will shut up and go away!)

Finally, they structured his contract in a truly creative way to protect him against the NFL suspension we all knew was coming. All within the rules, of course, but an absolute joke. He’s making over $45 million this year, but only $1 million in “actual” salary, so if he misses any games due to suspension, he only loses a fraction of the money he’s really getting from the team. (I hope the NFL adds a monetary fine to the suspension just because of this. They should really find a way to fine the Browns owners! IMHO)

Anyway, whatever happens, the fickle fans will eventually embrace their QB as soon as he starts winning games for them. Sad, but true. But count me out. I won’t be watching!

(Meanwhile, in Hollywood, Ezra Miller is playing Watson’s role disgracing his “team” while Warner Brothers is acting like the Cleveland Browns continuing to fund and support their guy no matter what! Oh well, I’ll save all that for another day.)