Deshaun Watson's lawyer clarifies controversial comments

The lawyer of Deshaun Watson has found himself under fire recently for some comments made during a Houston sports radio interview. Rusty Hardin said “happy endings” are not illegal as long as you do not pay for them. Social media has not taken those comments from Hardin lightly as Watson’s legal issues continue and punishment from the NFL looms.

Hardin released a statement on his radio appearance, doubling down that Watson has done nothing wrong. He said the new Cleveland Browns quarterback has not paid anybody for sex and was using the term “happy endings” as a hypothetical.

“Deshaun Watson did nothing wrong,” Hardin said. “And as two grand juries have made clear, Deshaun did nothing illegal. Deshaun has always acknowledged consensual sexual activity with three of the plaintiff massage therapists after massages. And Deshaun has repeatedly sworn under oath that he did not force any of his accusers to have sexual contact.

“On a Houston radio show interview today, I mentioned that a massage that has a “happy ending” is not illegal, meaning it’s not illegal for someone to have consensual sex with a therapist after a massage unless the sex is for pay.

“Deshaun did not pay anyone for sex. I was using the term hypothetically and not describing Deshaun’s case.

“I have reiterated to others it’s not ok to do anything that a woman does not agree to do. These women have alleged assault in their pleadings. I was speaking in a hypothetical situation. If there is a consensual sexual encounter after a massage, that is not a crime nor the basis for a civil lawsuit. I was not talking about Deshaun did or did not do or expected or did not expect.”

New lawsuit filed against Deshaun Watson

Following an episode of HBO’s Real Sports that featured Deshaun Watson’s accusers, another woman has filed a lawsuit against the quarterback. According to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, the woman was inspired by the episode and hearing the story from his accusers to come forth with her own experience.

“Another lawsuit has been filed against Deshaun Watson,” explained Barshop. “There are now 23 active civil lawsuits filed against the quarterback. According to the petition, the plaintiff ‘changed her mind about filing a lawsuit after watching the HBO Real Sports piece’ that aired last Tuesday.”

The episode in question featured an interview with Ashley Solis, a massage therapist who is one of the now-23 women who have lawsuits filed against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for sexual misconduct.