LeBron James did not appreciate Cleveland Browns fans celebrating Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury on Sunday.
Watson went down with a torn right Achilles in the first half of yesterday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The 29-year-old quarterback had played poorly all season thus far, but the Browns had given no indicating they were planning on benching him. Now, Watson’s injury gives them no choice.
As Watson was being tended to by trainers, some Browns fans in the building cheered, drawing the ire of Cleveland players and LeBron, who was watching at home.
“Cleveland Fans! Yall know how much we’ve been thru throughout the years both good, bad and indifferent. With that being said booing anyone that’s down with an injury let alone your own player is LAME AF!! To the ones who didn’t [salute],” James wrote.
Cleveland Fans! Yall know how much we’ve been thru throughout the years both good, bad and indifferent. With that being said booing anyone that’s down with an injury let alone your own player is LAME AF!! To the ones who didn’t 🫡
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 21, 2024
Under normal circumstances, celebrating a player’s injury because they were playing poorly is classless.
But Watson wasn’t just performing poorly; he also has dozens of sexual assault allegations and lawsuits in his past and is arguably the least sympathetic figure in pro sports.
As a result, there are plenty of people who disagree with James’ tweet and let him know about it.
“I think it’s okay to boo a sexual predator,” one person wrote.
“I can’t figure out why so many athletes befriend and stand up for men that are predators, abusers, and blatant criminals that have endangered others lives,” a second commenter added.
“Booing him is lame. Chase him out of your town with torches and pitchforks,” said a third person.
“Deshaun Watson didn’t die. He suffered a highly treatable injury that, outside of his ability to play football, will not impact his life,” a fourth person said, in part. “You can’t expect people to feel sorry for a generationally wealthy sexual deviant having his bag interrupted. His injury won’t last forever but what he did to dozens of women definitely will.”
“My glorious king they’re calling you LeEnabler I need you to delete this,” a fifth commenter chimed in.
LeBron would have been much better off had he not hit “send” on that one.