Second chances.

We all want them from time to time.

We all need them from time to time.

We all get them from time to time.

We are a forgiving country indeed. It stems from the fact religion was steeped in our heritage. As a person of faith, you are taught to forgive, just as God has forgiven you – many times. So, we forgive many times, and a number of times when we don’t really want to, where we instead can’t wait to judge that person as bad and lower the boom on them.

But in that religious structure that, as mentioned, has been with this country from the start, those of faith are taught that we should not judge lest we ourselves are judged, and that, as we all know, might be pretty uncomfortable.

With all that, then, I am forgiving Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, completely and fully, and at the same time praying and hoping that all this push-back he’s received has changed his heart so that he not only never, ever does those heinous things again, but also that he serves as an activist firmly opposed to such actions against women.

That might not be the way you feel, but it’s the way I feel.

And, to be honest, it took me a long time to get to this point.

I don’t know – no one knows – what’s going to happen for Watson on or off the field, or for the Browns for that matter and all the criticism they’re taking.

But what we do know is that the story starts in earnest on Sunday when he plays in a regular-season game for the first time in two years as he starts against his former team, the Texans, in his former stadium in Houston.

The whole thing will be compelling theatre.

Steve King