Deshaun Watson is dealing with a new legal issue as Pro Football Talk is reporting he is being sued for sexual assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress in Houston. This case differs from previous ones filed against Watson, as this plaintiff, who filed under the name Jane Doe, states in the lawsuit that she went on a date with Watson.
The date stated in the lawsuit is Oct. 10, 2020, which is within the five-year window for a personal injury case within the state of Texas that expressly alleges sexual assault. The plaintiff in this case is represented by the same attorney who represented many of the women who sued Watson in 2021.
As this is a new case, it means that Watson could once again be investigated under the personal conduct policy. That could result in Watson being suspended by the league, which would give the Browns a path to voiding the remaining guarantees in his deal.
Watson’s deal still has three years, including the current season, remaining. The entire deal is fully guaranteed, with the Browns still owing him more than $93 million in cash and carrying cap hits that total more than $200 million across this season and the next three.
In the lawsuit, it is stated that Watson was allegedly “aggressively yelling and screaming and stating that he could not find her apartment and that he ‘doesn’t have time for this.'” The lawsuit then goes on to state the following allegations:
“When Watson finally arrived at Doe’s apartment, Doe had not finished putting on makeup, so she invited Watson in to have a seat in her living room while she finished getting ready. As she was putting on makeup in her bathroom, Doe left the bathroom door open and attempted a conversation with Watson, trying to ease the tension from his angry outburst. Jane Doe quickly began to believe she was talking to herself because Watson wasn’t responding.
“Jane Doe came out of her bathroom to investigate Watson’s silence and shockingly found him completely naked on her bed, lying face-down on his stomach. While Jane Doe stood there in shock, Watson turned his head and aggressively insisted that she massage him, gesturing to his buttocks. Jane Doe asked if Watson meant he wanted her to massage his back, but Watson indicated that it was his buttocks he wanted massaged.
“Jane Doe was at this point in the encounter terrified. She was in her small apartment with a much larger man, and she was still reeling from Watson’s outburst and aggression on the phone. Doe thus tried to appease Watson by rubbing his back, rather than his buttocks. Watson began insisting, again, that she focus on his glutes.
The lawsuit contains graphic details, which can be read here. The remainder of the lawsuit alleges that “Watson continued to assault Doe aggressively from behind. Jane Doe finally gathered the courage and strength to escape Watson. Jane Doe quickly ran to her dresser to grab a heavy piece of décor for self-defense, and yelled at Watson [to] get out of her apartment. Enraged, Watson stormed out of Jane Doe’s apartment.”
Watson’s lawyer released a statement Wednesday strongly denying the allegations.
#Browns Deshaun Watson’s lawyer releases a statement with Watson strongly denying the allegations: pic.twitter.com/NWhZvI5PNm
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 11, 2024
“Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday. We have asked him not to comment further while this matter works its way through the courts, but are comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated.
“We will be ready to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but don’t intend to conduct our defense in the media. We would ask that people be patient while the legal process runs it’s course.
“In the meantime, Deshaun is going to focus his energy and concentration on football.”