by Editor’s note: This story contains reports of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is a sexual assault survivor, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or at https://www.rainn.org
Almost two years have passed since then Deshaun Watson last played – a 41-38 loss to the Titans to end the Texans’ 2020 season.
Just months later, in March 2021, the first of 26 sexual misconduct lawsuits was filed against the quarterback. Now Watson is set to return to the field on Sunday in a Browns uniform against his former Houston team and Tony Buzbee, attorney for 25 of the plaintiffs, will be present with about 10 of the women who have sued the embattled player the athlete.
With Watson just coming off his 11-game suspension and still facing two active civil lawsuits, Buzbee said the athlete that he will attend the game with bells and whistles on. He invited the 25 women, although some have said they will not be attending. But the message those in attendance reportedly want to send to Watson is: “You think you’ve left us behind, but we’re still here.”
For more than a year, Watson has been struggling with extensive legal problems. More than two dozen files contain detailed graphic accounts of sexual harassment and assault, ranging from his refusal to cover his genitals to “touching.” [a plaintiff] with his penis and trying to force her to perform oral sex on him.” The latest lawsuit, filed less than two months after the NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement to suspend Watson for 11 games and fine him 5 million dollars, says that “Watson removed his towel and offered her to ‘get on top.’ The plaintiff refused to have sex with Watson, but he was able to force her to have oral sex with the defendant.”
Only one case was dropped in April 2021 for privacy reasons. Watson then agreed to settle 20 of the 24 remaining active lawsuits by the end of June 2022, and he later agreed to settle three of the remaining four civil lawsuits filed against him in advance of independent arbitrator Sue L. Robinson’s first disciplinary decision.
Robinson, a former federal judge, explained in the report that “The NFL had its burden of proving, by preponderance of evidence, to prove that Mr. Watson was involved in sexual assault (as defined by the NFL) against the four therapists who were in identified in the report.” She also noted that he engaged in conduct that “posed a real threat to the safety and well-being of another person and conduct that undermines or threatens the integrity of the NFL.”
However, Robinson distinguished between what she described as violent and non-violent behavior, concluding that his behavior “does not fall into the category of violent behavior that would require at least a six-game suspension,” which the league defined as ” by far the most common” had imposed discipline for domestic or gender-based violence and sexual acts.”
The NFL appealed Robinson’s decision, and Roger Goodell appointed former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey to make the decision. However, the league and players’ association reached an agreement on Watson’s punishment in mid-August, shortly after the quarterback played the Jaguars in the team’s first preseason game.
Watson has continued to maintain his innocence and denied previous allegations against him. Two Texas grand juries also declined to indict him this spring, and the Browns’ owners have previously said they would act on his behalf again.
The quarterback was reinstated Monday and is expected to take over for first-team representatives on Wednesday with a Sunday start on the horizon. according to a report from Cleveland.com Mary Kay Cabot.
