Posted on July 28, 2022

Deshaun Watson’s Accusers Settle Their Claims Against the Texans

Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, July 15, 2022

The Houston Texans have reached settlements with 30 women who have accused the N.F.L. quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct in massage appointments, according to Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the women.

One of Watson’s accusers filed suit last month against the Texans, Watson’s former employer, claiming that the organization “turned a blind eye” to Watson’s behavior toward female massage therapists during the time he played for the team. {snip}

Twenty-four women filed lawsuits against Watson, alleging that he assaulted or harassed them in massage appointments between 2020 and 2021, when he was on the Texans’ roster. Watson, who has denied any wrongdoing, settled 20 of those suits last month. {snip}

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The news of the women’s settlements with the Texans comes as Watson awaits a ruling on if or how he will be disciplined by the N.F.L. after a three-day hearing last month in front of an arbiter jointly appointed by the league and the N.F.L. Players Association. Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges in March. After the first grand jury declined to bring charges and before the second one did, the Cleveland Browns traded for Watson and signed him to an unprecedented, fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million.

Before one of Watson’s accusers filed her lawsuit against the Texans, a New York Times investigation showed that the team provided the venue Watson used for some of the massage appointments that resulted in civil claims or criminal complaints. A team representative also furnished him with a nondisclosure agreement after a woman who later sued him threatened online to expose his behavior.

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