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The NFL is aware of the latest allegations made against Deshaun Watson and are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Watson, who is currently serving an 11-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual misconduct by over 20 massage therapists, is facing a new allegation from a woman who claims the QB forced her to perform oral sex during a massage therapy session.
A new lawsuit has been filed in Texas against Browns QB Deshaun Watson, according to court records. A massage therapist (Jane Doe) says she was pressured into performing oral sex on Watson in Dec. 2020 during the massage session.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 14, 2022
Here are the details of the latest lawsuit.
Via WKYC Cleveland
According to the filing, Watson reached out to the plaintiff via Instagram on Dec. 17, 2020, to ask about possible massage services, something Watson has been accused of doing in prior suits. The woman had been working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was “actively trying to grow her business,” and was “excited and encouraged” that a professional athlete like Watson would seek her services.
The two allegedly met the next day for an appointment at the Houstonian hotel. As she was setting up her equipment, the woman claims Watson came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel and later “continually pressured [her] into massaging his private area.” Watson then allegedly asked the plaintiff to have sex with him, and although she says refused to acquiesce to all of his requests, “he was able to pressure her into oral sex.”
Watson then paid the woman $300 for the massage (more than double the normal rate) and left, with the plaintiff later saying he kept texting her and even asked to see her again. The lawsuit says the woman is now seeking “minimal compensatory damages” but lambasted Watson for “[using] his celebrity to take advantage of a young woman working hard for her success.”
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy says the NFL is monitoring the latest Watson lawsuit and will eventually decide if they need to investigate or provide “additional sanctions” against the Browns QB
Watson’s status remains unchanged,” NFL Chief Spokesman Brian McCarthy told PFT via email. “We will monitor developments in the newly-filed litigation; and any conduct that warrants further investigation or possible additional sanctions would be addressed within the Personal Conduct Policy.”
Apparently several teams were sure Watson would be facing more civil lawsuits from 20-21 which could be bad news for Watson and the Browns.
Dating back to free agency, sources at several teams interested in Watson said they would brace for more civil suits coming from the 2020-21 timeframe.
Watson is currently serving an 11-game suspension. He can return to practice Nov. 14 and is expected to play Dec. 4.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 14, 2022