The National Football League has announced that it will launch an investigation regarding the lawsuits filed against DeShaun Watson. The Houston Texans quarterback is currently staring down three civil lawsuits alleging he sexually assaulted masseuses in the Houston area. Furthermore, it is possible that more lawsuits will be filed in the coming days.
“The NFL informed us today that they will conduct an investigation into the allegations made in the civil lawsuits filed against Deshaun Watson. We will stay in close contact with the league as they do," a Houston Texans spokesperson stated earlier today.
"We continue to take this and all matters involving anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously. We do not anticipate making any additional statements until the NFL’s investigation concludes.”
Allegations of sexual assault began to emerge on Monday evening when Houston-area attorney Tony Buzbee issued a public statement regarding the matter. At time of his initial statement, details regarding the matter were still unclear. Since then, more details have been revealed and it appears that Watson has been accused of inappropriately touching the masseuse with his genitals.
"Today we filed suit against Deshaun Watson. Too many times women have put up with behavior that we all know no one should put up with. Should we make excuses for the famous? Or those who hold special positions, or quarterbacks on a local professional football team? I don’t think so," Buzbee wrote.
After the first round of lawsuits was filed, Watson issued a public statement via Twitter. The NFL star claims that the allegations are untrue and he treats women with the "utmost respect."
"As a result of a social media post by a publicity-seeking plaintiff’s lawyer, I recently became aware of a lawsuit that has apparently been filed against me," Watson tweeted.
"I have not yet seen the complaint, but I know this: I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect. The plaintiff’s lawyer claims that this isn’t about money, but before filing suit he made a baseless six-figure settlement demand, which I quickly rejected. Unlike him, this isn’t about money for me – it’s about clearing my name, and I look forward to doing that."
Not long after the first two lawsuits were filed, a third lawsuit was filed. The latest suit alleges that DeShaun Watson forced her to perform oral sex during a private session in December 2020.
"Watson's behavior is part of a disturbing pattern of preying on vulnerable women," Buzbee stated.
"[Watson] has a great reputation here in the Houston area and the allegations are really inconsistent with the kind of person he is," Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, responded.
As the number of lawsuits continues to increase, attorney Tony Buzbee has called a press conference for 3:30 p.m. ET
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