Deshaun Watson is under pressure at the Browns as an old video featuring adult film star Mia Kahalifa resurfaces
Old Mia Khalifa video resurfaces as Deshaun Watson leads Browns into first place
Deshaun Watson’s recent turnaround with the Cleveland Browns has brought fresh attention to an unusual moment from the quarterback’s early NFL career, after an old video featuring internet personality Mia Khalifa resurfaced on social media.
The clip was originally posted in September 2017, on Watson’s 22nd birthday, just hours before his NFL debut with the Houston Texans.
Filmed earlier that year at Khalifa’s Houston apartment, the short video shows the two playing basketball with a miniature Nerf hoop. Khalifa attempts a dunk, only for Watson to block her shot.
Her post sparked speculation that the pair were dating, but Khalifa later denied there was a romantic relationship. She explained at the time that she and Watson were friends who lived near each other and that their friendship began after she invited him over for a home-cooked meal.
The clip has resurfaced several times since then, including during periods when Watson was facing increased public scrutiny. It has now returned to social media once again as the Browns quarterback finds himself at the center of a surprising football resurgence.
Watson has faced significant controversy since 2021, when more than two dozen women filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massage appointments.
Watson denied the allegations, and two Texas grand juries declined to indict him. He ultimately settled all but one of the civil cases and received an 11-game NFL suspension in 2022.
Watson’s Browns turnaround has changed the conversation
On the field, Watson has given Cleveland plenty to talk about for very different reasons. The Browns improved to 3-1 after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 on Thursday night, moving into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
Watson completed 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown and one interception. More importantly, he engineered another late scoring drive, moving Cleveland into range for Andre Szmyt’s 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining.
It was Watson’s third consecutive game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. Cleveland also defeated Tampa Bay and Carolina in the previous two weeks, meaning the Browns have won three straight after dropping their season opener.
The turnaround is notable considering the pressure Watson faced entering the season. He missed the entire 2025 campaign after suffering two Achilles injuries and was booed by Browns supporters during the preseason.
At one point, the relationship between the quarterback and Cleveland’s fan base appeared irredeemably strained.
Watson’s contract has also remained a major storyline. He signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns following his 2022 trade from Houston, creating enormous expectations surrounding his performance.
The resurfaced Khalifa video is giving social media another reason to revisit Watson’s complicated journey, but with Cleveland sitting at 3-1, the focus around the quarterback has increasingly shifted toward what he’s doing on the field.
