In response to a query concerning Deshaun Watson in 2022, head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens said he valued the city’s “zero-tolerance policy” against partner violence and sexual assault. Following the Ravens’ selection of Marshall edge rusher Mike Green with their second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, such remarks are now being questioned.

In 2022, when quarterback Deshaun Watson was embroiled in allegations of sexual misconduct, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh did not mince words. Asked about Watson’s situation, Harbaugh praised Baltimore’s stance on domestic and sexual violence, stating, “I value our city’s zero-tolerance policy. We take that seriously in Baltimore.” At the time, the Ravens appeared to draw a clear moral line between on-field performance and off-field behavior.

But with the 2025 NFL Draft now in the rearview, the Ravens’ second-round selection of Marshall edge rusher Mike Green has stirred a heated debate that could challenge the credibility of those past remarks. Green, a productive pass rusher who racked up 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss last season, was expected to go early on Day 2 based purely on talent. But his off-field past has resurfaced in a way that threatens to overshadow his NFL arrival—and Baltimore’s draft strategy.

Green was arrested in 2021 on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge while at Independence Community College, prior to transferring to Marshall. Though the case was eventually dismissed after he completed a diversion program, questions remain. And now, so do contradictions.

When Baltimore announced Green as the No. 52 overall pick, fans and media immediately began asking whether Harbaugh’s vocal stance in 2022 still holds weight today.

The Ravens have historically positioned themselves as a franchise committed to character and community engagement. Yet, critics are pointing out that the selection of Green undercuts that message—especially given how strongly Harbaugh framed his position on Watson just three years ago.

“This is a dangerous precedent,” said Jen Davidson, a spokesperson for End Violence Now, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing domestic abuse. “You can’t talk about zero tolerance and then turn around and draft someone with a known history of domestic battery—regardless of the legal resolution. Actions speak louder than sound bites.”

Green, for his part, has not shied away from his past. During media availability after being drafted, he addressed the issue head-on: “What happened when I was 18, I’ve taken full accountability for. I’ve worked to better myself every day since then. I’ve done counseling, community work, and made sure that’s not who I am anymore.”

Still, the damage—at least reputationally—may already be done.

When Deshaun Watson was facing over two dozen civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massage sessions, Harbaugh was among the most vocal NFL figures to weigh in.

“I respect the women who have come forward,” Harbaugh said in April 2022. “In Baltimore, we take these things seriously. That’s just who we are as an organization. We have a zero-tolerance policy.”

The public reaction at the time was largely positive, positioning the Ravens as a franchise unwilling to compromise on ethics in pursuit of talent.

Now, that same quote is being widely circulated in media reports, social media debates, and fan forums—often side-by-side with the announcement of Green’s selection. For many, it reflects a stark contradiction between words and actions.

“I was proud to be a Ravens fan in 2022 when Harbaugh spoke out,” said Marcus Bradley, a lifelong supporter and season ticket holder. “Today, I’m questioning whether those words were just PR.”

The Ravens’ draft-day controversy isn’t occurring in a vacuum. The NFL has long struggled to balance on-field excellence with off-field conduct. From Tyreek Hill to Kareem Hunt, the league’s history is filled with examples of teams overlooking red flags for the sake of production.

And though the NFL has implemented stronger Personal Conduct Policies over the years, its enforcement remains inconsistent. Some players have faced lengthy suspensions or been blackballed entirely, while others with similar accusations have continued playing unimpeded.

In this context, Baltimore’s choice feels like a continuation of a league-wide trend—one where talent too often trumps accountability.

“It’s a reflection of where the NFL really stands,” said Dr. Myra Halcomb, a sociologist at the University of Maryland who studies the intersection of sports and culture. “There’s a corporate image of zero tolerance, but that doesn’t always align with who teams are willing to sign.”

It’s not just Harbaugh who faces scrutiny. General Manager Eric DeCosta and team owner Steve Bisciotti are also being asked to explain how Green passed the Ravens’ internal character evaluations.

The team issued a brief statement following the pick: “We conducted a thorough background check on Mike Green. We are satisfied with his growth, accountability, and the steps he has taken to move forward from his past. We believe he will be a positive addition to our locker room and community.”

But critics argue that such statements amount to a sanitized version of events, glossing over a fundamental contradiction between stated values and recent actions.

“There’s a difference between giving someone a second chance and enabling a pattern,” said attorney Linda Chang, who represents survivors of domestic violence. “The Ravens have to be clear about which this is.”

Some analysts believe the Ravens tried to mitigate backlash by selecting Green in the second round instead of earlier, or by allowing him to speak candidly about the incident in his introductory press conference. But public perception remains split.

Among Ravens fans, reactions have ranged from cautious optimism to outright outrage. Supporters of Green’s second chance argue that punishing a person forever for a teenage mistake runs counter to the ideals of growth and redemption.

“He did what the court asked. He’s owned it. What else do people want from him?” said one Reddit user in a now-viral thread. “The NFL is full of guys who never got caught. At least he’s being real.”

Others disagree sharply.

“This is about accountability and consistency,” tweeted longtime fan @BmoreJess. “You can’t hold the moral high ground against Deshaun Watson and then act like Mike Green’s past doesn’t matter.”

As of Monday, multiple fan-led groups were calling for the team to further explain its vetting process and its current policies on domestic violence, particularly in the context of young draft prospects.

For Green himself, the media storm may be the first of many hurdles. The pressure on him to not only perform on the field but also represent an image of personal reformation will be immense.

In a statement released through his agent, Green said he’s prepared to prove his doubters wrong: “I know there are people who don’t believe in me. All I can do is work hard, stay true to my values, and let my actions speak louder than my mistakes.”

Teammates and coaches at Marshall spoke highly of Green’s leadership and work ethic, with head coach Charles Huff calling him “one of the most mature and self-aware players I’ve ever coached.”

Still, that won’t silence critics overnight. Every misstep, no matter how small, will likely be magnified through the lens of this draft-day decision.

For John Harbaugh, a respected and long-tenured coach with a Super Bowl ring and a reputation for integrity, this episode could define his legacy in ways no fourth-quarter comeback or playoff win ever could.

If Mike Green flourishes and steers clear of trouble, some may view the decision as a bold and principled gamble on a young man’s growth. If not, Harbaugh’s 2022 comments may be remembered as hollow words—emblematic of a league and a culture that continues to talk a bigger game on accountability than it plays.

More immediately, however, the pressure is on Harbaugh to reconcile the tension between his previous public stance and his current roster. Asked about it in the post-draft press conference, Harbaugh offered a careful response:

“I remember what I said in 2022, and I still stand by the spirit of that. Every case is different. Mike has shown us through his actions and growth that he deserves a second chance. We’re not excusing what happened—we’re looking at the whole picture of who he is now.”

Only time will tell whether Ravens fans—and the wider NFL audience—are willing to buy into that distinction.

• Baltimore Ravens official post-draft press materials
• Court records from Montgomery County, Kansas (2021)
• Public remarks from Coach Harbaugh (April 2022, April 2025)
• Interviews with domestic violence advocacy organizations