Jim Brown statue outside Browns' stadium used to send Deshaun Watson message

CLEVELAND (AP) — Someone taped signs on Hall of Famer Jim Brown's statue outside the Cleveland Browns ' stadium criticizing the team for having quarterback Deshaun Watson on its roster because of his checkered past.

Coach Todd Monken announced Monday that Watson, who was booed at home in Saturday's 31-7 loss to Buffalo in a preseason game, will enter the season as the starting quarterback. Watson, making his first appearance in 22 months because of a ruptured Achilles tendon, lashed out at the fans afterward and called the booing “personal.”

Watson's presence in Cleveland has been controversial since he signed a guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in 2022.

He was suspended the first 11 games of that season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. More than two dozen women accused Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions.

Watson also was fined $5 million and force to undergo an evaluation before he could be reinstated.

One of the signs posted on Brown's statue read:

"$280,000,000

27+ VICTIMS

ZERO SUPPORTERS"

Another sign called Watson's presence on the team “PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE CITY & FRANCHISE.”

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks at a press conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

SEATTLE (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber hit his MLB-leading 40th home run Wednesday.

Schwarber drove a 98-mph fastball off Seattle starter Bryan Woo approximately 425 feet into right-center field, a three-run shot that gave the Phillies a 6-0 lead over the Mariners in the second inning.

Schwarber's homer tied a Phillies record for the most 40-plus homer seasons, matching former first baseman Ryan Howard. The 33-year-old Schwarber, who hit 56 homers last season, is also tied for the most 40-plus homer seasons among active players with Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.

Schwarber's 227 homers with Philadelphia are the second-most in a player's first five seasons with a club. He trails only Babe Ruth, who had 235 homers with the New York Yankees. Schwarber, who spent six years with the Chicago Cubs, has 380 career homers.

Matt Olson (Braves) and Yordan Alvarez (Astros) trail Schwarber in homers with 36 each.

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Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber jogs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hits a three-run home run against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)