Deshaun Watson: Clemson QB Apologizes For Negative Vibes
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson apologized on Monday for the “negative energy” he helped foster in the Tigers’ start to the 2016 season. During a press conference, Watson told reporters he felt overburdened by the expectations and publicity surrounding Clemson’s first two games of the season: last Saturday’s home opener against the Troy Trojans and the previous weekend’s season starter at Auburn.
While the No. 5 Clemson Tigers are currently 2-0 — besting Auburn (19-13) and Troy (30-24) — Deshaun addressed his Tigers’ surprisingly stagnant offense at the outset of this season, and he promised a “back to basics” approach in reviving Clemson’s prime offensive line from their 2015 undefeated regular season. The 20-year-old Watson said he needed to recenter his focus and “be the Deshaun Watson [he] always will be.”
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As reported by ESPN, Deshaun Watson’s balky demeanor was cited as adversely affecting the Tigers’ performance. Watson on Monday told the attendant press that he floundered as Clemson’s leader in the team’s narrow victories versus Auburn and Troy. Deshaun explained that his lack of spirit circulated among the Clemson Tigers, and thereby its fans, overshadowing the anticlimactic wins of the past two weeks.
“You can tell my body language has been bad, and it spreads throughout the team and then it spreads throughout the fans. You can feel the energy in the stadium, that people weren’t really excited about the game.”
As covered by ABC News, Deshaun Watson disclosed that he met with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney on Monday morning and quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter on Sunday night to discuss his efforts in improving both the on-field attitude and competitive determination of himself and his Tigers teammates. Watson’s genial sportsmanship over the last two seasons was a highlight for longtime fans of Clemson.
TigerNet expressed an undeterred hope that Watson can return to the aggressive gamesmanship and gridiron integrity of his freshman and sophomore seasons. On Monday, Deshaun called Saturday’s matchup “probably [his] worst game” of his 22 starts. While TigerNet acknowledged Watson’s “superhero style of play” in the past, Deshaun was quick to point out that he isn’t Superman in an orange football helmet and jersey.
“I’m not Superman…. I’m human, I make mistakes. I’ve started 22 games, and this is probably my worst game”
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Deshaun Watson, who turns 21 on Wednesday, Sept. 14, has much to prove this season after the Tigers’ lackluster triumphs over Auburn and Troy. As quoted in the above ESPN piece, Deshaun doesn’t take the opportunity for granted. At Monday’s press conference, Watson spoke of his resolve to improve the Tigers’ outlook this season and recalled his lifetime’s worth of patience in making it to this point with Clemson.
“Just got to live in the moment, embrace the moment and enjoy. It took a long time for me to put a smile on my face over the course of my lifetime, and my experience of what I’ve been through on and off the field. It’s a blessing to have this opportunity to be here.”
Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers have 10 games left in the 2016 regular season to prove their grit. Clemson will welcome the South Carolina State Bulldogs to Death Valley this Saturday, Sept. 17, for Football Reunion Weekend at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. The game airs at 12 p.m. ET on regional sports networks.
Do you think Deshaun and the Tigers have what it takes to log another undefeated regular season? Will Deshaun’s on-field demeanor improve as the Tigers attempt to climb the ranks of the ACC this season? Let us know what you think of Deshaun and his team in our comments section at the bottom of this page.
[Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images]
