Deshaun Watson

Lore & Background

After having a productive rookie season cut short by injury, Watson guided the Texans to consecutive division titles in 2018 and 2019 and led the league in passing yards in 2020. He also received Pro Bowl honors in each of his three seasons as Houston's primary starter. He is currently 11th in career completion percentage (minimum 1,500 attempts) and is sixth in all-time career passer rating. In 2021, Watson was sued by more than two dozen female massage therapists for sexual harassment and sexual assault. Watson has denied any wrongdoing while settling 20 claims of sexual misconduct. Disagreements with the Texans' front office, and multiple sexual-misconduct lawsuits, kept Watson out for the entire 2021 season and eventually led to a trade to the Browns in 2022. With Cleveland, Watson signed a five-year contract worth $230 million, one of the largest contracts in NFL history.

Reader's Guide

Watson was born in Gainesville, Georgia, on September 14, 1995, to Deann Watson and Don Richardson. He attended Gainesville High School, where he set numerous state records including total yards (17,134), total touchdowns (218), career passing yards (13,077), and career passing touchdowns (155). He committed to Clemson University on February 1, 2012. In college, Watson led Clemson to a national championship in 2016, winning the Davey O'Brien Award twice and finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He was drafted 12th overall by the Houston Texans in 2017.

Did You Know?

• Watson was the first player in college football history to throw for over 4,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.
• Watson graduated with a degree in communications after three years at Clemson.