In football, setbacks can be as defining as victories. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson knows that better than most. In October 2024, after doctors confirmed a season-ending ACL tear and he successfully underwent surgery, his then-girlfriend Jilly Anais turned to faith with a heartfelt Instagram prayer. “Dear Lord, today, I come bold and full faith, knowing You are the God of overflow. Just like Ephesians 3:20 says, You’ve got more lined up for us than we can even dream of,” she wrote, offering strength when he needed it most.

And, on July 3, 2025, the couple quietly tied the knot. They confirmed the news by flashing their wedding bands to fans. And now, on September 14, as Watson celebrates his 30th birthday, Jilly’s words once again rise above the noise, reminding everyone where her loyalty truly lies.

Jilly Anais doesn’t fumble when it comes to standing by her man. On his milestone day, while the world scrutinized his every move, she poured her heart out on Instagram. “Happy Birthday to my greatest gift, my Husband!” she wrote. She continued, “From 23 to 30, I’ve had the privilege of walking through every season with you. Every day, I’m in awe of the way you rise, love, and endure.” Alongside her words came snapshots of their best moments together—wedding memories, vacations, and even sideline PDA.

However, the timing of her post couldn’t have been more pointed. Amid an ongoing firestorm over the Browns’ own birthday tribute, Anais made her commitment clear. Instead of the lukewarm tone shown by the team, she celebrated the man she calls her “LoveBug.” She added, “I got your back more than your spine,” before thanking God and cheekily posting, “30 looks good on you baby 😋💛🤞🏽.”

This isn’t the first time Jilly has stood tall beside Watson in adversity. From their unconventional first date, a 7 a.m. hot yoga session followed by a five-hour dinner, to his darkest chapters, she has remained steadfast beside him. In a 2024 interview with SET Magazine, Watson admitted what drew him in: “Her character, her personality, of course her looks… and just her soul.” Meanwhile, Anais has often described him as her “backbone,” “motivation,” and “happy place.” Even when accusations of harassment forced her to limit comments on social media, she never wavered in her support.

Moreover, their love story has only climbed higher. In March 2025, Watson proposed with a staggering $2.5 million diamond ring, nicknamed “The Glory Treasure.” Anais announced the news with “Mrs. Watson loading…” while Watson echoed, “MORE GLORY 🙏🏽.” They set their wedding for July 3, 2025—the anniversary of their first date. On a Miami yacht, surrounded by close family and friends, Jilly stunned in a Lee Petra Grebenau gown, while Watson wore a custom white shirt embroidered with “07.03.25.”

Now, with criticism swirling around him again, Jilly has once more shown that her loyalty doesn’t waver.

Cleveland Browns Slammed for “Tone-Deaf” Deshaun Watson Birthday

Fans were not impressed with the Cleveland Browns’ decision to post a lukewarm birthday message for Watson on September 14, 2025. The post simply read, “Happy birthday, Deshaun.” No emoji, no exclamation point, nothing. For many, it became one of the most tone-deaf moments in recent NFL history. In contrast, rookie Dylan Sampson received an upbeat tribute: “A happy gameday birthday to Dylan today!”

Meanwhile, Watson’s struggles have only added fuel to the fire. His numbers tell the story: a career-low 79.1 passer rating in 2022, the NFL’s worst Total QBR in 2024, and a 9–10 record over 19 games. Injuries have piled on, too. A ruptured Achilles cost him one season, followed by another tear in January 2025 that required surgery. Even team owner Jimmy Haslam admitted at the NFL owners’ meetings, “We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun… We thought we had the quarterback, we didn’t and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him.” The Browns now owe him $92 million over the next two years and face a potential $172 million dead-money hit if they cut him.

As a result, fans saw the Browns’ post as flat-out disrespect. Comments poured in: “Still time to delete this,” “Read the room,” and “Nice of you to massage his ego.” One jabbed, “Admin, I know you were forced to post this, so I appreciate that you at least didn’t give him an exclamation point or emoji.” Within hours, the post went viral with more than 800 comments and nearly a million views.

In contrast, Jilly Anais’ message resonated far deeper. While the team faltered, she reminded everyone of her unwavering loyalty. Through faith, adversity, and backlash, she continues to be Watson’s most consistent defender.