NFL and Cleveland Browns' Deshaun Watson sued over another alleged 2020 sexual assault
Warning: This article contains content readers may find distressing; Deshaun Watson sued over another alleged sexual assault; Watson previously settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by massage therapists alleging sexual harassment and assault in 2020 and 2021 sessions
Tuesday 10 September 2024 11:26, UK
A woman in Houston filed a civil lawsuit against Deshaun Watson on Monday, accusing the Cleveland Browns quarterback of a sexual assault and battery that occurred in October 2020.
The woman, who is going by "Jane Doe" in the suit, claims that Watson committed the sexual assault and battery ahead of a dinner date at her apartment.
According to the lawsuit, Watson, who was playing for the Houston Texans at the time, met the woman at a local restaurant, got her number and suggested that the two go out on a date at a shopping mall. The woman didn't want to be in public with Watson, leading her to propose the dinner date at her apartment.
Before Watson even arrived at her residence, the woman alleges he called her and yelled at her on the phone because he struggled to find where she lived. He eventually showed up, and the suit states that after getting ready in the bathroom, the woman returned to her bedroom, where Watson was "completely naked on her bed, lying face down on his stomach."
Watson then demanded a massage, motioning toward his knees and groin, per the lawsuit. The woman said she was not a masseuse, but Watson proceeded to ask her if there was anything she would rather do instead.
The suit states the woman didn't have time to answer before Watson "partially disrobed Jane Doe and penetrated her vagina without consent, implicit or explicit." After being sexually assaulted for "several minutes," the woman was able to break free from Watson, and she grabbed a heavy object to protect herself.
Watson was "enraged" as he "stormed out of" the woman's apartment to end the alleged interaction, the suit states.
The NFL declined to comment on the lawsuit, while the Browns have yet to respond for comment.
Back in 2022, Watson was suspended for 11 games after more than 24 women came forward to accuse him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct that occurred while he was getting massages.
Criminal charges were never brought up against Watson, but in the summer of 2022, he reached settlements in 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits that he was facing.
Watson, 28, was traded to the Browns in March 2022. He started in Cleveland's season-opening 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, completing 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
