Deshaun Watson sexual assault allegation: NFL insider reacts to new lawsuit, predicts league reaction

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was sued in Houston on Monday for sexual assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

The alleged incident took place on Oct. 10, 2020. The complainant, who filed the lawsuit under the Jane Doe pseudonym, alleges that Watson “roughly sexually assaulted” in her apartment “for several minutes in a ‘missionary position’ before grabbing her and flipping her over” before the two were scheduled to go on a date.

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In 2021 and ’22, 26 lawsuits were filed accusing Watson of sexual misconduct and harassment. The difference in this particular case is that Watson is specifically accused of sexual assault. Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports provided some insight on how he believes the NFL will handle the latest accusation against Watson.

“The allegations in this particular lawsuit are not the same as the prior suits,” Robinson wrote on X. “I don’t believe the NFL will treat this as a continuation of a previously settled matter under the personal conduct policy.”

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Watson, who sat out the entirety of the 2021 season after the allegations arose, was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 campaign and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Watson could be subject to further scrutiny under the personal conduct policy, Florio wrote in his report.

A potential suspension “could give the Browns a path toward voiding his remaining salary guarantees and ending the relationship.” The Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal in March 2022. That July, he settled 20 of the sexual misconduct cases against him. As of August 2023, 23 of the 26 civil lawsuits have been settled.

The woman using the Jane Doe pseudonym is represented by Tony Buzbee. Buzbee represented several women apart of the string of sexual harassment allegations against Watson. In Texas, a five-year statute of limitations applies because the case expressly alleges sexual assault, per Florio.

New lawsuit reveals troubling allegations against Deshaun Watson

The current lawsuit contains the following allegations:

“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,” the lawsuit reads. “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. Seemingly frustrated that Doe would only rub his back, Watson then turned over, revealing an erection. Watson continued to demand that Jane Doe massage him, gesturing from his knees to his groin. Jane Doe froze in fear, unsure of how to refuse Watson’s advances without jeopardizing her safety. Confused and scared, she reiterated to Watson that she wasn’t a masseuse. Watson asked her what she wanted to do instead.

“Before Jane Doe could answer, Watson grabbed Jane Doe’s leg and positioned her so that she was lying down. Watson then partially disrobed Jane Doe and penetrated her vagina without consent, implicit or explicit. Jane Doe felt paralyzed, unsure if she should risk her safety by trying to stop Watson or endure his assault. Watson roughly sexually assaulted Jane Doe for several minutes in a ‘missionary position’ before grabbing her and flipping her over. 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.”