'Disappointed' and 'love him' like a son: Clemson's Dabo Swinney comments on Deshaun Watson amid allegations

Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney came to the defense Monday night of his former national championship quarterback, Deshaun Watson of the NFL’s Houston Texans, who has been accused in at least 14 civil lawsuits of alleged sexual misconduct.  

The lawsuits have all been filed by Houston attorney Toney Buzbee, who has represented multiple complaints alleging misconduct against Watson, and have been entered into court on behalf of clients claiming that Watson committed acts of sexual misconduct or assault against them during massage therapy. The suits are all similar in nature: In each case, Watson is accused of acting inappropriately. 

“Certainly, I'm disappointed to see his name in the news and all that’s going on,” Swinney said Monday night after a Clemson spring football practice. “But, look, I love Deshaun Watson. He’s like a son to me. That’s how I love him.  

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“I certainty can’t speculate or comment on any of that stuff. But all I can tell you is that I’ve known Deshaun since he was in the ninth grade and he been nothing but exemplary in every area. In three years here as a player,  I think I had a chance to yell at him one time. He was five minutes late for a team meeting that he overslept for. And that’s it. That’s the Deshaun I know. I can only base my thoughts on my experience with him, and they've been wonderful. Again, I love him like a son. We'll just have to see where everything goes from here.” 

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In a statement released last week before the first lawsuit was publically available, Watson denied wrongdoing. His attorney, Rusty Hardin, described the women's claims as "meritless" and indicated that they would respond to the lawsuits in greater depth at some point this week.

Watson has not been suspended by the NFL or been charged with a crime. The NFL said last week that it is investigating the matter under the auspices of its personal conduct policy. 

Contributing: Tom Schad, USA TODAY Sports