1 week Ago
Deshaun Watson struggled mightily in the Cleveland Browns' Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon, completing just 24 of his 45 pass attempts for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. One day after this disappointing performance, Watson is now facing some far more serious off-field legal issues. Watson was sued in Houston for sexual assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress on Monday, according to NFL insider Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.
The lawsuit was filed by an anonymous Jane Doe who accuses Watson of sexual assault during a date on October 10, 2020. The lawsuit contains these allegations, via ProFootballTalk: “When Watson finally arrived at Doe’s apartment, Doe had not finished putting on makeup, so she invited Watson in to have a seat in her living room while she finished getting ready. As she was putting on makeup in her bathroom, Doe left the bathroom door open and attempted a conversation with Watson, trying to ease the tension from his angry outburst.
Jane Doe quickly began to believe she was talking to herself because Watson wasn’t responding. “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. 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.
” Browns QB Deshaun Watson has been sued again. The latest case, arising from an alleged incident in October 2020, accuses him of sexual assault and battery while on a date. https://t.
co/0Fc0Jtv76H Watson was hit with similar accusations in over 20 separate lawsuits filed by women in 2021. The Browns quarterback received an 11-game suspension from the NFL to start the 2022 season due to his violation of the league's Personal Conduct Policy. Florio reports Watson could face further punishment from the league over this most-recent lawsuit.
© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK "This new case raises plenty of issues, from the standpoint of the league and the Browns. It’s possible that Watson could be subject to further scrutiny under the Personal Conduct Policy. It’s also possible that a suspension — if one is imposed — could give the Browns a path toward voiding his remaining salary guarantees and ending the relationship," Florio writes.
Watson and the Browns are scheduled to face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2..
