The NFL

The NFL hasn't said much, if anything, about Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's lack of regret in the eight days since he:

1. Accepted an 11-game suspension and $5 million fine.
2. Released a statement accepting responsibility for his actions.
3. Promptly declared his innocence at a press conference.

On Friday, a consultant brought on after the Ray Rice scandal vehemently criticized Watson's demeanor.

Rita Smith,

Rita Smith, the NFL's senior counsel on sexual assault and domestic abuse issues, told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "I feel like he's playing us. He is saying exactly what he believes is necessary for him to return to the field. He is not at all acting strategically. "Have I harmed other people?" He doesn't question any of his actions in the slightest. He knows for sure from that last statement: "I haven't done anything wrong." I simply want to go play ball. This is about people trying to get at me.

Smith thinks that Watson's failure to take ownership of his actions paves the way for future wrongdoing.

Smith told Cabot

Smith told Cabot, "That enthusiasm is not healthy for future reoffending." "That implies that he still threatens others because he has engaged in zero self-reflection as far as I can determine. There aren't very many documented breaches from those doing them legally. He's mishandling those [massage] sessions in some way. He's acting improperly during those massage sessions. To prevent somebody from being wounded, he must ascertain what it is and how to stop it.

Smith believes that Watson's entourage of agents and attorneys, who unquestioningly support him and help him maintain his innocence, is part of the issue.

Smith warned Cabot

Smith warned Cabot that "he has surrounded himself with individuals who would support him no matter his choice." Deshaun Watson is in jeopardy as well. He can alter his behavior, but not if those close to him tell him, "Yeah, she's only wanting your money" and "You paid all that money and it still didn't make any difference." Those folks aren't favoring him, so he needs to eliminate them.

Ashley Solis' 

From the beginning, they haven't been doing him any favors. After an attempt to settle Ashley Solis' claims was rejected, she and 23 others filed a lawsuit. A chance to wrap up the lawsuits fairly quickly was lost due to Watson's camp's insistence that any prospective settlement of the claims in April 2021 not contain a secrecy agreement. Rusty Hardin, an attorney, has asserted throughout the road that every Watson accuser is lying.

No, Watson has not received good service. He needs to hear the unpleasant truths from someone. Hopefully, counseling can help with that. Suppose he rejects the advice given to him. In that case, he shouldn't be allowed to play in Week 13 against Houston or at any other time until he stops clinging to his innocence and begins adopting methods for comprehending how these problems came about and how to prevent them in the future.