Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been accused of sexual assault in a new civil lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges he forced himself on her four years ago when he played for the Houston Texans.
The lawsuit, filed in Harris County, Texas, claims Watson assaulted the woman, identified as Jane Doe, after she invited him to her apartment. Watson allegedly undressed shortly after arriving and demanded a massage, leading to the alleged assault.
This is the latest legal entanglement for Watson, who settled 23 of 24 lawsuits against him in 2022 after two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct and harassment during massage therapy sessions. Watson served an 11-game NFL suspension in 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy and paid a $5 million fine.
The new lawsuit was filed by attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the other women who alleged Watson’s misbehavior. The Browns did not have an immediate response to the latest lawsuit, and the NFL declined to comment.
Watson could face further discipline from the league, including another suspension or fine. The three-time Pro Bowler has been plagued by issues since Cleveland traded five draft picks, including three first-round selections, to the Texans in 2022 for him. The Browns then signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
Watson has been limited to just 13 starts due to the suspension and a shoulder injury that required surgery last season. He played for the first time in 10 months on Sunday and completed 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown in a 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
The latest allegations against Watson have sparked renewed scrutiny of the NFL’s handling of player misconduct and the league’s personal conduct policy. The NFL has faced criticism for its handling of domestic violence and sexual assault cases, and Watson’s case has brought renewed attention to these issues.
As the NFL season gets underway, Watson’s future with the Browns remains uncertain. The team has stood by him despite the allegations, but further discipline from the league could impact his availability for games.
The lawsuit also raises questions about Watson’s character and his ability to be a leader on and off the field. The Browns have invested heavily in Watson, and his performance on the field will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
In a statement, Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, denied the allegations, saying, “Deshaun Watson has always maintained that he did not engage in any wrongdoing, and we will continue to vigorously defend him against these false allegations.”
