Deshaun Watson’s career, from his early years to the present, has been a mix of remarkable talent, achievements, and controversy. Born on September 14, 1995, in Gainesville, Georgia, Watson showed promise early in his football career. At Gainesville High School, he set state records in total yards, touchdowns, passing yards, and passing touchdowns, eventually winning a state championship in his junior year. His performance earned him a spot at Clemson University, where he was ranked as the top quarterback recruit for the 2014 class by ESPN 300.

Watson’s college career at Clemson was distinguished. He led the team to a national championship in 2016, and in his sophomore year, he set a record for most total yards in a national championship game. Watson finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 2015, the highest in Clemson history, and won numerous awards, including the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the top college quarterback【source】.

Turning professional, Watson was projected as a first-round pick and was selected by the Houston Texans in the 2017 NFL Draft. His rookie season was promising but cut short due to an ACL injury. He led the Texans to consecutive division titles in 2018 and 2019, and in 2020, he led the league in passing yards. He received Pro Bowl honors in each of his three seasons as Houston’s primary starter【source】.

However, Watson’s career also faced significant controversies. In 2021, he was sued by more than two dozen female massage therapists for sexual harassment and assault, though he denied any wrongdoing. These issues led to him missing the entire 2021 season and eventually being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2022, where he signed a five-year contract worth $230 million, one of the largest contracts in NFL history【source】.

As of November 2023, playing for the Cleveland Browns, Watson’s season was unfortunately cut short due to a fracture in his throwing shoulder, an injury that occurred during his best performance of the season【source】【source】【source】【source】. Watson’s journey in the NFL reflects both his incredible talent on the field and the complexities of his personal and professional life.