NFL now reviewing new lawsuit filed against Deshaun Watson
CLEVELAND (WJW) – The Fox 8 I-Team has learned the NFL is now reviewing the newest lawsuit filed against Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Brian McCarthy, Chief NFL spokesman, tells the I-Team the league is looking into the matter “under the Personal Conduct Policy.”
“Not looking at Commissioner’s Exempt list as there’s been no formal charges and the league’s review has just begun,” McCarthy stated.
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On Monday, an unidentified woman, filed a lawsuit against Watson accusing him of sexual assault.
The lawsuit was filed in Harris County District Court in Houston, Texas, by attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented 23 other women who sued Watson for sexual misconduct.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 17: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns scrambles with the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) FILE – Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) sits on the bench during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Cleveland. For the third straight year, Cleveland is without a first-round pick after shipping three along with a handful of late-round selections to the Houston Texas in 2022 for Watson, who has yet to deliver a championship or even a playoff win. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File) Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is congratulated by wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) after throwing a touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) FILE – Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question during a press conference after practice at the NFL football team’s practice facility Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Berea, Ohio. Deshaun Watson is practicing Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, for the first time in nearly three weeks and after missing two games with an injured right shoulder. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Buzbee told us Tuesday that he has had “no contact” with the Browns or the NFL on this matter.
A spokesperson for the Browns released the following statement Tuesday: “We will respect the due process our legal system affords regarding the recently filed civil suit and follow the NFL’s guidelines on this matter.”
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According to the newest lawsuit, the woman alleges that Watson first “aggressively insisted” that she massage him in 2020. At one point, the lawsuit states, Watson sexually assaulted her. She said she was able to escape him and ran to get a heavy piece of décor for self-defense, but Watson ran out of the apartment.
The woman is asking for more than $1 million in damages.
Buzbee told us his client in the newest lawsuit hired him a year ago.
“After doing due diligence, I reached out to Watson’s lawyer 10 months ago,” Buzbee said. “We suggested mediation. We had correspondence back and forth, but I came to believe it wasn’t a priority for the Watson team. My client decided to move forward.”
The woman states the alleged assault happened four years ago. In Texas, the statute of limitations to bring a case for sexual assault is five years.
“This is because many victims have difficulty coming forward, for obvious reasons,” Buzbee said. “It takes a lot of courage to do so, especially given that Watson is a public figure and people always attack the victim. In some states, the time to bring such a case is as much as 15 years.”
We have reached out to attorney Rusty Hardin, who represented Watson in the previous cases, but he has yet to respond to requests to discuss the issue.
Buzbee said he will be asking to depose Watson and will push for a trial date.
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