Not a HAPPY ENDING for Deshaun Watson & Cleveland Browns
Deshaun Watson and an NFL franchise, the Houston Texans, face an uphill battle in the court of public opinion. The Texans have been added to the existing 24 lawsuits that Watson currently faces in civil court, alleging that the quarterback behaved inappropriately during massage therapy sessions.
The attorney representing all of the cases against Watson, Tony Buzbee, claims that the some of the Texans' staff had knowledge of the incidents and may have arranged them in some cases, providing hotel rooms and non-disclosure agreements (NDA).
According to a New York Times investigation, Watson arranged sessions with as many as 66 women that he direct messaged on Instagram asking if they would provide him massage services. Some of which may not have even been massage therapists or have any experience in the field. During the sessions is is alleged that Watson would ask for services that are not normally provided during therapy.
Deshaun Watson has denied any wrongdoing, but he and his attorney have admitted that some of the incidents in question have resulted in mutually agreeable encounters. Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin recently said in an interview that asking for such services is not illegal in any way.
Watson was cleared of any criminal charges by two grand juries. Shortly after he was traded to the Cleveland Browns and given a $230 million guaranteed contract. Right now he faces 24 civil lawsuits where women claim that he acted inappropriately. The NFL is investigating the allegations from the perspective of their personal conduct policy and will need to determine if Watson faces punishment from the league, such as suspension.
Watson has sat out the entire season in 2021 because he demanded a trade from the Houston Texans after the 2020 season in protest of the questionable personnel decisions made by the team. This was only a few months after he had signed a new contract the previous September. Many have speculated that the team, possibly at the behest of owner Cal McNair, was somehow a catalyst for the litigation because they came about shortly after Watson demanded a trade.
It was further revealed that Buzbee, representing the 24 lawsuits, lives in the same upscale gated community as McNair. Both claim not to know each other despite this and having attended many local events together in the city. Buzbee also rain for mayor of Houston a few years ago, which has led many to question the notion.
Regardless, Buzbee has previously offered Watson and Hardin settlement terms on at least 18 of the 24 cases which they declined. Watson has asserted his innocence and intends to fight the cases. It's rumored that Watson's camp wanted the terms of the settlements to be public, while Buzbee wanted NDAs so that the cases could not be discussed further by either side.