Browns' Deshaun Watson faces lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery: Report
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is being sued in Houston for sexual assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to a story from NBC's Pro Football Talk published on Monday.
PFT's story reported that the accusations resemble the lawsuits filed against Watson in 2021, but whereas the other lawsuits occurred at scheduled massages with massage therapists, the plaintiff viewed their October 2020 meeting as a date.
The lawsuit contends that Watson yelled at the plaintiff over the phone after failing to find her apartment and that, once he was let into the apartment, he undressed and got on her bed while she put on makeup in her bathroom.
According to the lawsuit, the NFL star asked her to massage his buttocks and the plaintiff was "at this point in the encounter terrified"; however, she "tried to appease Watson by rubbing his back." The lawsuit said that a "seemingly frustrated" Watson then "turned over, revealing an erection."
The lawsuit said that the unnamed plaintiff "reiterated to Watson that she wasn't a masseuse." According to the lawsuit, Watson then "roughly sexually assaulted Jane Doe for several minutes" before the plaintiff was able to break free and tell Watson to leave.
Further details on lawsuit filed against Deshaun Watson
As reported by Pro Football Talk, the unnamed plaintiff who filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe is represented by Tony Buzbee, the same person who represented others who filed lawsuits against Deshaun Watson.
The allegations against the Browns quarterback could force the NFL to take action. In August 2022, Watson was suspended for 11 games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Although Watson, then the franchise face of the Houston Texans, faced criminal charges in the incidents involving Houston massage therapists, a grand jury declined to indict him in March 2022. He then settled more than 20 civil lawsuits related to the incidents.
Also read: Timeline of allegations against Deshaun Watson: How things unraveled for Browns QB
Since signing the five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract extension with the Browns, Watson has played only 13 games for the franchise. In those games, he has thrown for 2,386 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with a passer rating of 78.1.
The Browns will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.