September 10 – The NFL says it is reviewing the latest allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson under the league’s personal conduct policy.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement Tuesday that the commissioner’s exempt list would not be considered because “no formal charges have been filed and the league’s review has just begun.”
A Houston woman filed a civil lawsuit against Watson on Monday seeking $1 million, alleging that Watson sexually harassed and assaulted her before a dinner date at his apartment in October 2020.
The Browns released a statement. “We will respect the due process afforded by our legal system regarding the recently filed civil lawsuit and will follow the NFL’s guidance regarding this matter.”
According to the lawsuit, Watson, who was playing for the Houston Texans at the time, met a woman named “Jane Doe” at a local restaurant, got her phone number and suggested they go on a date at the mall. The woman did not want to be seen in public with Watson, so Watson offered to have dinner at his apartment.
The woman claimed that before Watson arrived at her home, she had called him and yelled at him because he couldn’t find out where she lived. Watson eventually got there, and after getting ready in the bathroom, the woman returned to her bedroom, where Watson was “completely nude and lying on his stomach on the bed,” the lawsuit states.
According to the lawsuit, Watson pointed to her knees and groin and asked for a massage. The woman said she wasn’t going to get a massage, but Watson asked her if she wanted something done.
Before the woman could react, Watson “removed a portion of her clothing and inserted himself into her vagina, with or without her consent,” the lawsuit states. After “minutes” of the sexual assault, the woman managed to break away from Watson and grab a heavy object to protect herself.
The lawsuit states that Watson became so “enraged” that he “stormed out” of the woman’s apartment and ended the alleged conversation.
In 2022, Watson was suspended for 11 games after more than 24 women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior during massages.
Watson was never charged criminally, but in the summer of 2022, he successfully settled 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits filed against him.
Watson, 28, was traded to the Browns in March 2022. He started under center in Cleveland’s 33-17 season-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, completing 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
——Visual-level media
