Browns' Joel Bitonio defends 'Cleveland against the world' comment amid Deshaun Watson controversy

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson made his unofficial club debut in the preseason opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 12 and predictably was the subject of boos and jeers from members of the home crowd regarding allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions that have hovered over him for over a year. 

As Chris Easterling noted for the Akron Beacon Journal, Browns All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio generated headlines and controversy two days after that contest when he spoke about what he heard at Jacksonville's TIAA Bank Field. 

"You know, I think once Deshaun came out of the game we got booed less, but you go to a road game they boo you anyway, so you know what I mean? So we'll see how it goes. I'm sure, it seems like more than ever, 'Cleveland against the world,' so we'll be ready for it," Bitonio remarked at that time. 

Bitonio was asked Wednesday about how some perceived his words as the Browns using such scorn related to Watson as motivation to win games during the upcoming season. 

"I noticed, and what I said was, we’re going to go to stadiums and we’re going to get booed by people no matter who’s playing quarterback for us and as a team we come out and say, 'Cleveland against the world,'" Bitonio answered. "If people want to take that in the wrong context or talk about it in the wrong context, that’s their opinion.

"But I know we have good people on this team that are working hard and trying to be the best for the Cleveland Browns, and that’s where I am at as a player who has been here for nine years, and if someone wants to think that I don’t love and appreciate things in my life, that’s their opinion. But I know where I’m at and where I’m at with Cleveland and the people on this team." 

Bitonio and company won't have Watson as an active player through November, as the 26-year-old will begin serving the 11-game suspension agreed upon by the NFL and NFL Players Association next week. Backup Jacoby Brissett is set to start for the Browns in Watson's absence.