Content warning: This article contains images of suspected sexual abuse.
The accuser accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and battery in a civil lawsuit will meet with the NFL within two weeks to discuss the allegations, her attorney said.
Attorney Tony Buzbee told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that his client and two people who spoke to her immediately after the alleged assault will be meeting with the league. He also said there is video footage to provide “that will be relevant.”
Buzbee said in an email to ESPN that he does not view the NFL’s disciplinary process favorably, but his client has chosen to speak with the league and cooperate with its investigation.
“We are scheduling a meeting with the NFL and hope to have it done within the next two weeks,” Buzbee wrote to ESPN. “We have video and two additional witnesses for the NFL to speak to. I have never personally trusted the NFL’s disciplinary process, but my client has chosen to do so.”
The lawsuit, filed Monday in Harris County, Texas, says the incident in question occurred in October 2020 when Watson was playing for Houston Texas. According to the lawsuit, Watson and the plaintiff planned to have dinner at her house but became angry and aggressive when he couldn’t find her address.
After inviting him over, the woman finished preparing and left her bathroom to find Watson naked on her bed, lying on his stomach. Watson insisted that she massage his buttocks, and when she refused, he demanded that he massage his groin area. She refused again, at which point Watson allegedly sexually assaulted her. The woman eventually escaped, yelling at Watson to get out of her apartment.
Through his attorney, Watson denied the allegations on Wednesday. Attorney Rusty Hardin said Watson would “defend this case in court,” but would not do so in the media.
The NFL said it is investigating the lawsuit under the league’s personal conduct policy. However, the league will not place Watson on its exempt list of commissioners because no formal charges have been filed and the NFL has just begun reviewing the case.
Declaration of #Brown about Deshaun Watson from Browns Spokesman:
“We will respect the due process of our legal system with respect to the recently filed civil lawsuit and follow the NFL’s guidance in this matter.”— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) September 10, 2024
Watson was suspended 11 games in 2022 after more than 20 allegations of sexual assault, many by massage therapists, while with the Texans. He has not been criminally charged in any of the cases and has consistently denied the allegations. Houston traded Watson to the Browns before the 2022 season.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Watson is scheduled to start for the team’s Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 1’s 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Watson threw for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 24-for-45 passing.
“We will respect the due process of our legal system with respect to the recently filed civil lawsuit and follow the NFL’s guidance in this matter,” the Browns said in a statement.
