The Cleveland Browns have slowly started gaining clarity on the availability of Deshaun Watson moving into the 2022 season. After a long fight, back and forth, the final verdict has been passed for the QB’s actions. However, netizens believe that Watson’s punishment is much more frivolous than what the NFL has done in the past. This context helped the fans link back to the old incidents where quarterbacks like Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick were sidelined just for kneeling on the field.
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A few days ago, the league announced that Deshaun Watson will be suspended for the first 11 games in the upcoming season with a $5 million fine. This costs him more than half of the season, and by the time he returns for the game against Houston Texans, the 26-year-old would have completed 700 days outside the field. Watson has not played a pro game since 2021. However, fans pointed out the quarterback will still make a huge amount of money despite staying away from the action.
This offseason, he signed a five-year $230 million fully-guaranteed contract. So the signal-caller is still making money sitting at home. Recently, the American author Jeff Pearlman lashed the US legal system for not charging him with severe penalties.
“It is absolutely bonkers. Deshaun Watson will be making s*itloads of money playing football, and Colin Kaepernick never got a second chance. Because he knelt.” He wrote on Twitter. Just like Kaepernick, fans pointed out another entity, former Broncos quarterback Tom Tebow who was under the radar for kneeling ahead of every match.
It is absolutely bonkers Deshaun Watson will be making shitloads of money playing football and Colin Kaepernick never got a second chance. Because he knelt.
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) August 21, 2022
While it was speculated that he bowed during the national anthem, Tebow clarified that it was nothing but his routine prayers to Jesus Christ ahead of every NFL game. A practice that he had been continuing since the sophomore season.
Fans criticize the NFL for being frivolous against Deshaun Watson
Back in 2016, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was one of the personalities being blackballed by the league. Even though the NFL released an official apology a few years ago, it didn’t seem to have made any significant difference in his comeback. And the recent verdict punishing the Browns quarterback for only 11 games despite major controversies irked several fans.
One user mentioned that he won’t watch NFL until Tebow is back.
I won’t be watching the NFL until Tim Tebow is on the field again!
— 🛸 (@mavburnerr) August 27, 2022
Tebow’s incident is related to some other issues, says this fan.
Tim Tebow sucked as a quarterback. He refused to play tight end until he was too old to make the transition. He was not blackballed for praying. You can't even lie right.
— Thomas #BlueCrew (@HawkeyeTownsend) August 28, 2022
This user made a strange claim over Kaepernick’s kneeling incident.
I always hated football…. until Colin Kaepernick knelt
— Michelle the Rando Canadian🍁 (@FirstPogMoThoin) August 28, 2022
While this user joked about the ongoing debate.
After reading this tweet I bought the NFL Sunday Ticket twice.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) August 27, 2022
Tebow’s underperformance sidelined him, says another fan.
It’s really not that bonkers. One was identified as good at football; one wasn’t. Tim Tebow won a playoff game and never got second chance, either.
— Callaspo (@iamcallaspo) August 21, 2022
This user made strange statements on Kaepernick’s incident.
"But, but, but…Kaepernick was a terrible QB!"
or
"But, but, but…Kaepernick had other chances but he turned them down!"
or
"But, but, but…Kaepernick cashed in on his fame!"
…but you never hear them admit that Kaepernick was right.
— Yonxers (@Yonxers) August 21, 2022
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One user resorted to justifying Watson.
Well, Deshaun Watson has made the pro bowl his last 3 seasons in the league and Kaepernick never made a pro bowl and was in decline, but yeah, it was the kneeling 🙄. Fact is, there is no transgression that is too bad for the nfl (see Michael Vick) if you can be productive
— Ray Janowski (@BoomerJanowski) August 21, 2022
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As of now, there are many justifications to cover the ongoing issue. These were different instances at different points in time, and thus generalizing the issues doesn’t seem to work here. Especially when the final decision on Watson’s matter has been disclosed.
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