Deshaun Watson Punished and Fined $35,000 for Cleveland Browns' 'Gun Celebration' and 2 Penalties

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson just got fined by the NFL for three incidents that took place during Cleveland’s Week 2 loss to the Steelers - including a "gun-themed'' celebration.

The inauspicious launching of former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in Cleveland continues this weekend as in addition to Watson being centerstage during a 26–22 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football, he's now been cited and fined for a trio of rules violations from that game.

During Cleveland’s Week 2 loss to the Steelers, which dropped the Browns to 1-1, Watson engaged in "unsportsmanlike conduct'' ... and in what form?

Watson has been penalized for a “violent gesture during a celebration” in the end zone ... for a "gun-themed'' act. ... Which looked something like this ...

Here’s the “violent gesture” that led to one of Deshaun Watson’s three fines from Monday night.

Watson and David Njoku were each fined $13,659 for the gun-themed celebration after a #Browns TD. Watson was fined $35,513 total, including two fines for unnecessary roughness. pic.twitter.com/bYgU7D3kVY

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 23, 2023

The two other penalties were for a pair of face mask violations, and when the NFL adds it all up, Watson, 28, received fines totaling $35,513 for his actions.

Oddly to some, the veteran QB, who was traded by the Texans to the Browns a year ago in a controversial blockbuster swap that followed Watson's legal entanglements with women accusing him of sexual misbehavior, somehow avoided a fine for seeming to not only "make contact with a referee'' but actually grabbing him and shoving him.

Watson did not receive a penalty for doing so in the fourth quarter of that game, either.

Against Pittsburgh, Watson's slow start to his Browns career continued as he completed 22 of 40 pass attempts for 235 yards with a touchdown and a pick-6 interception while taking six sacks. In Week 1, with Watson managed only 154 passing yards, with a TD and an interception along with taking three sacks, though the Browns did record a win over the Bengals.