Deshaun Watson (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
More disturbing allegations have surfaced against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Deshaun Watson, who turns 29 on Saturday, settled 20 of 24 sexual misconduct lawsuits against him in 2022. Watson didn’t face any criminal charges and was suspended for the first 11 games of 2022, his first year with the Cleveland Browns.
Per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Watson was sued on Monday by a woman in Houston, Texas (the lawsuit was filed under “Jane Doe”), accusing him of sexual assault and battery, emotional distress and intentional infliction.
The lawsuit alleges that on an Oct. 10, 2020 date, Deshaun Watson (then a member of the Houston Texans) screamed at Jane Doe over the phone because he was unable to find her apartment. After finding the place, Watson came up as she was getting ready.
(WARNING: Content below contains graphic descriptions of sexual assault that some may find triggering and disturbing).
Jane Doe alleges that a fully naked Watson aggressively requested a massage in his buttocks area when she came out of the bathroom. The woman alleges that Watson grabbed her leg without warning and proceeded to sexually assault her.
According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe was able “to grab a heavy piece of décor for self-defense” before ordering Watson to leave. The quarterback then left her apartment in an “enraged” state.
Deshaun Watson just had the 6th worst passing game in NFL history with 45 minimum passing attempts. In the entire history of the football. Historically putrid.
— Jamal Johnson (@GPSeeks) September 9, 2024
At the time of this writing, neither Deshaun Watson nor the Cleveland Browns have commented on the matter. We’ll provide more details when they become available.
Deshaun Watson Has Become A Problem For The Browns
The Browns had no problem trading for Watson and handing him $230 million in the 2022 offseason, despite the disturbing allegations against him. They decided his talents as a football player were worth the public backlash, and now they’re paying for it.
Not only are Watson’s off-the-field legal matters problematic, but his contract and play have made the trade a disaster in Cleveland. He was unwatchable in their Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and there’s little reason to think that the 2017 first-round pick will impove.