Hall of Fame baseball player Jim Thome’s wife, Julie Thome, has cancelled their season tickets to the Cleveland Browns after they traded for quarterback Tyrod Taylor. She believes that the team should not have made a move until it had been assured he would be on board with long-time coach Hue Jackson.
Highlights of the article:
- After the Deshaun Watson deal, Thome, Andrea, the wife of baseball star Jim Thome, canceled her Cleveland Browns season tickets.
- Thome claimed she requested a refund and is putting a “line in the sand” with Watson, who is still facing 22 legal lawsuits for sexual harassment and assault.
- Thome isn’t the only Browns fan who is excited about the coming of the veteran quarterback.
It would be both dramatic and foolish to suggest that the Cleveland Browns’ choice to sign former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was contentious. On the one hand, many Browns supporters have said, particularly on social media, that they would not make a fuss over a quarterback who is still facing 22 legal claims claiming sexual harassment and assault.
Others in the Dawg Pound haven’t been so understanding. Thome, Andrea, the wife of baseball icon Jim Thome, has been one of the most outspoken in her opposition to next year’s Browns squad.
After the Deshaun Watson deal, Thome, Andrea, wife of baseball star Jim Thome, canceled her Browns season tickets.
Our Browns season tickets were officially canceled today, and we requested a refund since they had been paid in full. After 40 years as a fan, I’m quite disappointed, but this is my line in the sand. Women, I believe. It’s much worse when there are 22 of them. That news conference had no effect on my decision.
— Thome, Andrea (@AndreaThome) March 25, 2022
Thome, Andrea has stood with the Browns through a difficult relocation to Baltimore, a 0-16 season, many failed quarterbacks, and the Hue Jackson era. Nothing, one would think, would be enough to frighten her away or persuade her to start supporting for a more competent organization if the Hue Jackson era wasn’t enough.
One trade, six draft selections, and $230 million in guaranteed money was all it took to alter her mind.
Thome tweeted on March 25 that she had “formally canceled” her family’s season tickets and requested a refund from the organization.
“It’s quite disappointing after 40 years as a fan, but this is where I draw the line. Women, I believe. It’s much worse when there are 22 of them. That news conference had no effect on my decision.”
Thome, Andrea
Watson’s debut press conference the same day, when the 26-year-old quarterback declared he has never attacked or insulted any woman, was the subject of Thome’s post. She subsequently shared a message from one of Watson’s accusers on Twitter.
I wouldn’t wish the last 48 hours on anyone, but this letter is why it was worth it. I stand by my decision and none of threats, name-calling, false-accusations or character assassination makes any difference. Other peoples opinion of me is none of my business. ✌🏼 pic.twitter.com/4GV6JiPSgb
— Thome, Andrea (@AndreaThome) March 28, 2022
Thome said she planned to sell her tickets and give the funds to several women’s crisis groups in Ohio if the Browns do not return her money.
Jim Thome has yet to comment on the Browns’ decision to acquire Watson at the time of publishing. In addition, the five-time All-Star, who blasted 337 home runs in 13 seasons with the Indians, had not responded to his wife’s tweets.
Thome isn’t the only Browns fan who has spoken out following the team’s contentious trade.
There are a lot of Browns supporters who are optimistic that their club will finally be able to compete in the AFC. The Dawg Pound has endured enough losing seasons and front-office scandals that the team’s choice to acquire Watson should have been cause for celebration.
Many of those fans, however, are unable to appreciate Watson the athlete because they refuse to distinguish him from Watson the person.
Following the Watson trade on Friday, March 18, local news stations made the rounds, speaking with upset and unhappy supporters. Some made it apparent right away that they couldn’t and wouldn’t endorse the new quarterback. Others said they needed more time to comprehend Watson’s decision, particularly as he awaits a possible punishment for off-field behaviour.
Deshaun Watson’s presence in Cleveland has angered Browns fans | Nick Cammett/Getty Images
Following the transaction, Joe Posnanski, a seasoned reporter and die-hard Browns supporter, wrote a Substack piece in which he expressed his disappointment with the team’s choice to acquire Watson.
“How much am I ready to give up as a supporter to see my team win?” Posnanski penned a piece. “A lot, as anybody with 50 years of experience will tell you. But not by a long shot.”
Although Posnanski said that he would not be rooting for the Browns next season, he confessed that it is difficult for him to envisage a football season without writing about his favorite team.
Thome, on the other hand, does not seem to be concerned about her future as a Browns supporter. As long as Watson is in the middle, that is.
How to obtain assistance: The free Crisis Text Line connects you with a certified crisis counselor by texting HOME to 741-741.
If Teddy Bridgewater’s pricey handshake hadn’t happened, the Browns may not have needed Deshaun Watson.