Deshaun Watson's Real Name: Deshaun Watson

Quick answer: The quarterback is known professionally as Deshaun Watson. Clemson University Athletics and ESPN independently list a September 14, 1995, birth date and Gainesville, Georgia, as his birthplace. This page titles him under the public name.

Real name and early life

Independent publishers identify him under the professional name Deshaun Watson. Clemson University Athletics lists the birth date as Sept. 14, 1995, and the hometown as Gainesville, Georgia, and records that he played at Gainesville High School. ESPN independently lists the birth date as September 14, 1995, and the birthplace as Gainesville, Georgia.

Career highlights

Clemson University Athletics says he was a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third in the 2015 balloting and second in 2016, and that he won the Davey O'Brien Award in consecutive seasons. The same official biography says he led Clemson to a national championship in 2016, including a championship-game win over Alabama, and records 28 wins over his final two seasons. ESPN independently lists Clemson as his college and says he was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 12th overall, by the Houston Texans, later playing for the Cleveland Browns.

NFL discipline

NFL.com reported on August 18, 2022, that Watson was suspended for 11 games during the 2022 NFL season and fined $5 million for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy, under the terms of a settlement between the league and the NFL Players Association. The league also required mandatory evaluation and treatment. According to that official account, the suspension was to take effect after the final roster cutdown on August 30, and he would be eligible for reinstatement on November 28, 2022. The same report said the settlement followed the league's appeal of an earlier six-game decision by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, a former federal judge. NFL.com also said the NFL and the Browns would each contribute $1 million, which, combined with the $5 million fine, would create a $7 million fund to support the prevention of sexual misconduct and assault. The same article reported that he had reached confidential settlements with 23 of the 24 women who filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, that he had denied wrongdoing, and that two grand juries in Texas had declined to indict him on criminal complaints.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Deshaun Watson are looking for the same quarterback, including the Clemson and NFL work most often associated with his name. This page uses the public professional name.