Getty Images
The Texans fined Deshaun Watson $ 7,500 and some of his teammates $ 5,000 each for violating the league’s COVID-19 protocols during the opening of the quarterback’s restaurant last week.
Watson said he plans to pay not only the fine, but also the fines of his colleagues who were there. This probably means paying them back, as the fine money goes out of paychecks, and the player who has been fined must pay the fine himself.
Still, it is a beautiful gesture.
“I told these guys that I’m going to take care of this; they don’t have to worry about it, ”said Watson on Wednesday, via Aaron Wilson of Houston Chronicle. “I will take care of this, and we will continue. We don’t want to cause any other distractions or anything unnecessary going on. This will be done by me and my team and we will continue to follow the flow. “
Social media posts show six Texan players gathered for a picture without masks at the December 15 event at Lefty’s, a cheese sandwich franchise.
Watson, a minority restaurant owner, is in the photo, along with line attackers Tytus Howard, Roderick Johnson and Laremy Tunsil, running back Duke Johnson and receiver Brandin Cooks. Defensive side Charles Omenihu, who was not photographed, also participated in the opening, reports ESPN’s Sarah Barshop.
The NFL’s COVID-19 protocols prohibit more than three players from gathering outside the team’s facilities, and masks are mandatory.
“Honestly, they were all saying at first, ‘Nah, we’re going to pay,'” said Watson. “They showed love and support. They didn’t really care about the fine, because the NFL was really trying to do that. I told them that I will take care of this.
“You were just showing love and support and really just enjoying the food. I am very grateful for the support of my boys and my teammates and everyone who passed by. They were not really worrying about the fines. At the same time, I told them I would. “