History of Deshaun Watson in Timeline

Deshaun Watson is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He previously played college football at Clemson University, where he led the team to win a national championship in 2016. In 2017, Watson was drafted in the first round by the Houston Texans, marking the beginning of his NFL career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1961: Fran Tarkenton Achievement

Since Fran Tarkenton did in 1961, Deshaun Watson became the first rookie to pass for at least four touchdowns and rush for one touchdown in a game.

September 14, 1995: Deshaun Watson's Birth

On September 14, 1995, Derrick Deshaun Watson was born.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Jeff George Led League in Passing Yards

Deshaun Watson became the first player to lead the league in passing yards on a team with at least 12 losses since Jeff George of the Oakland Raiders in 1997.

2002: David Carr Received PFWA All-Rookie Team Award

David Carr received the PFWA All-Rookie Team award in 2002.

2003: Jason White won Davey O'Brien Award

Jason White won Davey O'Brien Award in 2003.

2004: Jason White won Davey O'Brien Award

Jason White won Davey O'Brien Award in 2004.

2006: Home Donation by Warrick Dunn

In 2006, when Deshaun Watson was 11 years old, Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn donated a home to Watson's family through Dunn's charity, Homes for the Holidays, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

2006: Sportradar began tracking air yards

In Week 1 against the Cowboys, in 2024, Watson was also 0-for-10 on passes thrown 15+ yards downfield, becoming the first quarterback to have 10+ passes thrown 15 or more yards downfield with zero completions since Sportradar began tracking air yards in 2006.

2010: Attended Gainesville High School and Played Football

In the fall of 2010, Deshaun Watson attended Gainesville High School and played for the school's Red Elephants football team, becoming the first-ever freshman starting quarterback under coach Bruce Miller.

2011: Clemson's First ACC Championship Since 2011

In 2015, Deshaun Watson led the Tigers to a 45-37 win, Clemson's first ACC championship since 2011.

February 1, 2012: Commitment to Clemson University

On February 1, 2012, Deshaun Watson verbally committed to Clemson University.

January 2014: Enrolled at Clemson

In January 2014, Deshaun Watson enrolled at Clemson University.

October 11, 2014: Broke Hand Against Louisville Cardinals

On October 11, 2014, Watson broke a bone in his right hand during a game against the Louisville Cardinals, causing him to miss several games.

2014: Junior All-American and Player to Watch

During his junior year in 2014, Watson was named a Junior All-American, a 2014 Player to Watch, and a 2014 Top 100 Recruit after winning a state championship.

2014: Top Quarterback Recruit

In 2014, Deshaun Watson was ranked as the top quarterback recruit for the 2014 class by ESPN 300.

2015: Heisman Trophy Finalist

For his accomplishments during the 2015 season, Watson was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. He also won the Davey O'Brien Award and was named the 2015 ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

2015: Led Clemson to Undefeated Regular Season

In 2015, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to an undefeated 12-0 regular season and a #1 ranking in the polls.

November 8, 2016: Declared for the NFL Draft

On November 8, 2016, Deshaun Watson, along with three other Clemson players, declared for the NFL draft.

2016: Orange Bowl Victory

In 2016, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to a 37-17 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, earning game MVP honors.

2016: College Football Playoff National Championship Loss

In 2016, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, where they lost to Alabama 45-40. Watson set a record for most total yards in national championship game history, with 478 yards.

2016: National Championship

In 2016, Deshaun Watson led the Clemson Tigers to a national championship.

2016: Davey O'Brien Award Winner

In the fall of 2016, Watson became the first player since Jason White in 2003-2004 to win the Davey O'Brien Award in consecutive years. He was also named winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was the first repeat winner of the Manning Award. He was again a Heisman Trophy candidate but did not win.

May 12, 2017: Signed with the Houston Texans

On May 12, 2017, Deshaun Watson signed a four-year, $13.84 million contract with the Houston Texans.

September 10, 2017: First Regular Season Appearance

On September 10, 2017, Deshaun Watson made his first regular-season appearance for the Texans against the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing his first NFL touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins.

2017: College Football Playoff National Championship Victory

In 2017, Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 in the College Football Playoff National Championship, securing their second national championship. Watson was named the game's offensive MVP.

2017: Donation to Hurricane Harvey Victims

In 2017, Deshaun Watson donated his first NFL game check of approximately $27,000 to three NRG Stadium cafeteria employees affected by Hurricane Harvey.

2017: Drafted by the Houston Texans

In 2017, Deshaun Watson was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Houston Texans.

2018: Texans Traded 2018 First Round Pick

As part of the deal to draft Deshaun Watson, the Texans traded their first round pick of the 2018 NFL draft in 2017.

2018: Division Title with the Texans

In 2018, Deshaun Watson guided the Houston Texans to a division title and received Pro Bowl honors.

2018: Ranked 50th in NFL Top 100 Players of 2018

In 2018, Deshaun Watson was ranked 50th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

January 21, 2019: Named to First Pro Bowl

On January 21, 2019, Deshaun Watson was named to his first Pro Bowl, replacing Tom Brady.

2019: Consecutive Division Title with the Texans

In 2019, Deshaun Watson led the Houston Texans to a consecutive division title and received Pro Bowl honors.

March 2020: Massage therapist's civil lawsuit

In March 2020, a Houston massage therapist claimed Deshaun Watson touched her with the tip of his erect penis and asked her for sex during a treatment at her home. According to the suit, the massage therapist immediately ended the session, cried after the incident and two additional NFL players contacted her weeks later on Watson's recommendation. The suit also claims that Watson later reached out to the massage therapist and apologized for his actions.

April 28, 2020: Texans Exercised Fifth-Year Option

On April 28, 2020, the Texans exercised the fifth-year option on Deshaun Watson's contract.

August 2020: Another massage therapist comes forward

In August 2020, another massage therapist claimed that Watson met her at the Houstonian Hotel, undressed completely, refused to cover up, directed her to massage his anus and penis, and made a movement that caused her to touch his penis. The therapist also claimed that Watson only paid half of the charges due for her services.

December 2020: Fined for COVID-19 Protocol Violation

In December 2020, Deshaun Watson was fined $7,500 by the Texans for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols.

December 2020: Third Civil Lawsuit Filed

In December 2020, a third civil lawsuit was filed against Watson, alleging that he forced a massage therapist to perform oral sex on him before she blacked out in an office building. The therapist claimed that she was shaken and defecated on herself after Watson left.

2020: Led League in Passing Yards

Despite the team's 4-12 record, Watson finished the 2020 season with a league-leading 4,823 passing yards.

2020: Trade Request and Standoff

Following the 2020 season, Deshaun Watson requested a trade from the Texans due to dissatisfaction with front office and coaching staff changes. The Texans initially refused to negotiate trade offers, leading to a standoff. Despite off-field controversies, Watson participated in some team activities, and was named to the 53-man roster. The team's general manager stated they would handle Watson's situation gradually.

March 16, 2021: Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Watson

On March 16, 2021, a civil lawsuit was filed against Deshaun Watson by a Houston massage therapist. She claimed Watson touched her with the tip of his erect penis and asked for sex during a treatment at her home in March 2020. Watson denied these claims, asserting he always treated women with respect.

April 7, 2021: Endorsement Deals Suspended

On April 7, 2021, Nike and Beats by Dre suspended endorsement deals with Deshaun Watson due to the allegations against him. Reliant Energy and H-E-B also announced they would not be engaging with Watson in the future.

2021: Sexual Misconduct Allegations and Inactivity

In 2021, Deshaun Watson faced multiple sexual-misconduct lawsuits and disagreements with the Texans' front office, leading to him sitting out the entire season.

2021: Watson Ruled Out of Games

Throughout 2021, Deshaun Watson was ruled out for every Texans game for "non-injury reasons/personal matter", despite not being officially suspended or placed on any reserve list.

March 11, 2022: Grand Jury Declines Indictment

On March 11, 2022, a grand jury declined to indict Deshaun Watson on criminal charges related to "harassment and sexual misconduct". However, he still faced 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and assault.

March 18, 2022: Trade to the Browns

On March 18, 2022, Deshaun Watson and the Texans' 2024 sixth-round draft pick were traded to the Browns. The Browns gave up first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as a third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024. Watson also signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns, the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history at the time.

August 1, 2022: Civil Cases Settled

As of August 1, 2022, all but one of the pending civil cases against Deshaun Watson had been settled.

August 18, 2022: Suspension Settlement

On August 18, 2022, after the NFL and the NFLPA reached a settlement, Deshaun Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 regular season and fined $5 million.

November 28, 2022: Reinstatement and Return to Play

On November 28, 2022, Deshaun Watson was reinstated from his suspension and added to the 53-man roster. He started against his former team, the Texans, in Week 13. In his first game in 700 days, Watson posted the worst passer rating of his NFL career at 53.4, throwing for 131 yards and one interception in the 27–14 win.

2022: Trade to the Cleveland Browns

In 2022, Deshaun Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns and signed a five-year contract worth $230 million.

2022: Suspension and Appeal

In 2022, as a result of his sexual harassment allegations, Deshaun Watson was suspended for six regular season games by arbiter Sue Lewis Robinson. He could participate in preseason activities. The NFL appealed, seeking a full-year suspension and a fine, and requiring Watson to seek treatment for his conduct. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called Watson's conduct "egregious" and "predatory behavior".

2023: Browns' Draft Picks Traded to Texans

As part of the March 18, 2022 trade deal, the Browns traded first-round and third-round draft picks in 2023 to the Texans.

September 9, 2024: New Sexual Assault Lawsuit

On September 9, 2024, Deshaun Watson was sued for sexual assault and battery by a new accuser in Houston, who alleged that Watson penetrated her vagina without consent in several positions during a date in 2020.

2024: Browns' Draft Picks Traded to Texans

As part of the March 18, 2022 trade deal, the Browns traded first-round and fourth-round draft picks in 2024 to the Texans.

2024: Season-Ending Achilles Tear

In Week 7, on October 20, 2024, during the Browns' matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Deshaun Watson suffered a non-contact leg injury, later confirmed to be an Achilles tear, which forced him to miss the rest of the season. With Watson as quarterback, the Browns went 1–6 and ranked last in the NFL with 253.9 yards of offense per game.

January 9, 2025: Achilles Surgery Re-rupture

On January 9, 2025, Deshaun Watson underwent surgery after he suffered a re-rupture to his right Achilles tendon, potentially keeping him out for the entire 2025 season.