Kelly Stafford, wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, has expressed her outrage over Cleveland Browns fans who cheered when Deshaun Watson sustained a season-ending injury. Watson, the Browns’ 29-year-old quarterback, ruptured his right Achilles tendon during the first half of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
As Watson collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain, some Browns fans reportedly celebrated, an action that has drawn widespread criticism.
Watson’s Achilles injury was confirmed on Monday after an MRI revealed the full extent of the damage. He is set to undergo surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season.
Despite the seriousness of the injury, some fans in Cleveland Stadium chose to celebrate his misfortune, which has not sat well with Watson’s teammates or figures around the NFL.
Kelly Stafford took to Instagram to express her frustration, suggesting that the fans who cheered should face permanent consequences. “Should try and find every fan that cheered and ban them for life,” she wrote in her post. “Makes my blood boil.” Her comment echoes the sentiments of many who feel that cheering an athlete’s injury, regardless of personal opinions, crosses a moral line.
The reaction to Watson’s injury also stirred emotions among his teammates, most notably defensive star Myles Garrett. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year condemned the behavior, saying, “We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall.” Garrett’s comments reflect a deep disappointment with the way some fans reacted to their quarterback’s misfortune.
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Jameis Winston, another prominent voice in the NFL, also voiced his disapproval of the cheers. “I am very upset with the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years, and he put his body and life on the line for this city every single day,” Winston said.
He added, “The way I was raised, I will never pull on a man when he’s down, but I will be the person to lift him up.” Winston’s words highlight the emotional toll Watson has faced in recent years, as well as the importance of compassion in moments of adversity.
Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, who is a Cleveland native, was also disheartened by the fans’ reaction. “Everyone has to be better than that,” Ward said. “Regardless of what you may think of a person or what someone’s been through or whatever the situation may be, that doesn’t make it right or make it any better for you to kick a man when he’s down.”
Watson’s injury marks yet another chapter in his turbulent time with the Browns, a tenure that has been plagued by controversy and underperformance.
Cleveland signed Watson to a massive $230 million fully guaranteed contract two years ago, trading three first-round draft picks and five overall selections to the Houston Texans to secure his services.
Despite the hefty investment, Watson has struggled to live up to expectations, with the Browns’ decision to acquire him being widely criticized.
In his third season with the Browns, Watson threw for 1,148 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions, but he was sacked a league-high 33 times. His performance has been hampered by injuries, and his arrival in Cleveland was marred by accusations of sexual misconduct. Over two dozen women accused Watson of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions while he was with the Texans.
Although two grand juries declined to indict him, Watson settled most of the civil lawsuits brought against him. In 2022, the NFL suspended him for 11 games and fined him $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
With Watson now out for the season, the Browns are once again forced to adjust their quarterback situation. On Tuesday, the team announced that they had signed Bailey Zappe from the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad. Zappe will compete with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Jameis Winston for the starting role as Cleveland looks to salvage their season.
The Browns’ quarterback struggles only compound the disappointment that has followed Watson’s tenure with the team. Despite the high hopes surrounding his signing, Cleveland has yet to see a return on its massive investment. Watson’s latest injury may serve as a harsh reminder of the risks associated with putting so much faith in a single player, especially one with such a checkered history.
As the Browns regroup and move forward, the reaction to Watson’s injury has sparked a larger conversation about sportsmanship, fandom, and where the line should be drawn.
For Kelly Stafford and many others, the behavior of those who cheered Watson’s downfall was inexcusable, and it has reignited debates about the role of fans in supporting their teams while maintaining respect for the players who put their bodies on the line every week.
