Deshaun Watson denies sexual misconduct allegations
Deshaun Watson sat stoically behind the microphone, and for nearly 40 minutes barely talked about football. This wasn't the time. It's unclear when that will be. Facing pointed questions about sexual misconduct allegations brought against him by 22 women, Watson, one of the NFL's top quarter
backs, defended his character and denied any wrongdoing Friday while being introduced by the Cleveland Browns. Wearing a dark pinstriped suit and orange tie, Watson showed little emotion at the dais while saying he has never mistreated women and vowing to earn the trust of his new team and a fan base conflicted over his arrival.
“I've never assaulted or disrespected or harassed any woman in my life,” Watson said. "I've never done these things people are alleging.”
It was the first time Watson has answered direct questions about the allegations, which first surfaced in March 2021. Watson didn't play last season for Houston as the criminal and civil complaints by massage therapists mounted and before being heard by two grand juries in Texas.
UMass hires Frank Martin
UMass has found a new leader for its basketball program, hiring Frank Martin as its coach Friday. Martin, 56, takes over the Minutemen program from Matt McCall, who was fired this month after going 58-81 over five seasons in Amherst. Martin arrives following his own dismissal from South Carolina last week after 10 seasons and just one NCAA appearance with the Gamecocks. But that appearance to cap the 2016-17 season culminated in South Carolina's first Final Four berth. Martin was 171-147 during his tenure at the school.
He had more NCAA tournament bids in his first head coaching job at Kansas State from 2007 to 2012, leading the Wildcats to March Madness four times including an Elite Eight berth in 2010. He finished 117-54 overall.
BALL STATE: UCLA assistant coach Michael Lewis will be taking over Ball State's program once the Bruins complete their NCAA Tournament run.
SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks' leading scorer Jermaine Couisnard has entered the NCAA transfer portal, a day after South Carolina hired former Chattanooga coach Lamont Paris as the team's new men's basketball coach.
OHIO STATE: Buckeyes' forward E.J. Liddell announced Friday he has declared for the NBA draft. The decision by the All-American to skip his senior season was no surprise. Liddell had the best season of his threeyear Ohio State career, averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.5 assists per game.
USC: Assistant football coach Dave Nichol died Friday in McKinney, Texas. He was 45.
A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Nichol had cancer. USC head coach Lincoln Riley hired Nichol in December as his inside wide receivers coach and associate head coach for offense
U.S. close to clinching World Cup berth
Christian Pulisic pounded the ground three times just past Mexico's goal line after his point-blank shot was blocked in the 35th minute.
The United States was frustrated yet pleased with a gritty 0-0 draw on Thursday night in the thin air of a half-full Estadio Azteca. The point earned pushed the Americans in place to all but clinch a World Cup berth with a victory against Panama on Sunday night at Orlando, Florida. The U.S. maintained second place in North and Central America and the Caribbean with 22 points, three behind Canada, and ahead of Mexico on goal difference. The top three nations reach this year's World Cup in Qatar, and the No. 4 team advances to a playoff, likely against New Zealand.