LeBron James criticized for Deshaun Watson post

Nov 28, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts against the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James made the curious decision over the weekend to offer a public show of support for Deshaun Watson.

Watson and the Cleveland Browns beat the Washington Commanders on Sunday by a 24-10 final score. The former Pro Bowler Watson had perhaps his best game since returning from suspension, throwing for 169 yards and three TDs as well as adding 31 more yards on the ground (for 200 total).

The Los Angeles Lakers star James reacted to one of Watson’s passing touchdowns during the game with an upbeat message about the QB.

“Yessir D Watson!!” James tweeted. “Another one. That boy getting his rhythm back! #Browns”

James also shared the same post to his official Facebook page.

The message from the former NBA MVP was very poorly received. After all, the reason for Watson’s suspension (which ran for the first 11 games of the NFL season) was the troubling sexual misconduct allegations made against Watson by dozens of women.

Here is a sampling of some of the backlash that James received for the post.

James, a Northeast Ohio native, has been a longtime Dallas Cowboys fan. He recently said that he had dropped his fandom of the Cowboys for ethical reasons, which makes his support of the Watson and his hometown Browns curious.