The NFL said it is reviewing the latest allegations made against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson under the league’s personal conduct policy.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy added in his statement on Tuesday that the commissioner’s exempt list is not being considered because “there’s been no formal charges and the league’s review has just begun.”
A woman in Houston filed a civil lawsuit against Watson on Monday, seeking $1 million in damages, claiming that he committed sexual assault and battery ahead of a dinner date at her apartment in October 2020.
The Browns issued a statement. “We will respect the due process our legal system affords regarding the recently filed civil suit and follow the NFL’s guidelines on this matter.”
According to the lawsuit, Watson, who was playing for the Houston Texans at the time, met the woman identified as “Jane Doe” at a local restaurant, got her number and suggested that the two go out on a date at a mall. The woman didn’t want to be in public with Watson, leading her to propose the dinner date at her apartment.
Before Watson even arrived at her residence, the woman alleges that he called her and yelled at her on the phone because he struggled to find where she lived. He eventually showed up, and the suit states that after getting ready in the bathroom, the woman returned to her bedroom, where Watson was “completely naked on her bed, lying face down on his stomach.”
Watson then demanded a massage, motioning toward his knees and groin, per the lawsuit. The woman said she was not a masseuse, but Watson proceeded to ask her if there was anything she would rather do instead.
The suit states that the woman didn’t have time to answer before Watson “partially disrobed (her) and penetrated her vagina without consent, implicit or explicit.” After being sexually assaulted for “several minutes,” the woman was able to break free from Watson, and she grabbed a heavy object to protect herself.
Watson was “enraged” as he “stormed out of” the woman’s apartment to end the alleged interaction, the suit states.
Back in 2022, Watson was suspended for 11 games after more than 24 women came forward to accuse him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct that occurred while he was getting massages.
Criminal charges were never brought up against Watson, but in the summer of 2022, he reached settlements in 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits that he was facing.
Watson, 28, was traded to the Browns in March 2022. He started under center in Cleveland’s season-opening, 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, completing 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
–Field Level Media
