NFL

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is facing yet another lawsuit stemming from sexual assualt allegations back in 2020. In the civil suit that was filed in Harris County (Texas) District Court, the claimant who was only identified as Jane Doe, alleges that Watson sexually assaulted her inside her apartment in October of 2020.

According to the legal documents obtained, Watson apparently had trouble finding the plaintiff’s apartment and started “yelling and screaming” at her on the phone saying that “he didn’t have time for this”. Once Watson arrived at the apartment, Watson sat in Jane Doe’s living room while she finished getting ready and proceeded to make small talk with him. The plaintiff then alleges that she went into her bedroom only to find a fully naked Watson lying on her bed face down and demanded a massage from her. When she refused to touch his buttocks or penis, the defendant “penetrated her vagina without consent, implicit or explicit” and “roughly sexually assaulted” her for several minutes until she broke free and “ran to her dresser to grab a heavy piece of décor for self-defense.” 

Jane Doe according to the suit, “finally gathered the courage and the strength to escape Watson” and ran to her dresser to grab something to defend herself with. She then demanded Watson leave her apartment and that’s when an “enraged Watson stormed out”.

“Before Jane Doe could answer, Watson grabbed Jane Doe’s leg and positioned her so that she was lying down. Watson then partially disrobed Jane Doe and penetrated her vagina without consent, implied or explicit. Jane Doe felt paralyzed, unsure if she should risk her safety by trying to stop Watson or endure his assault. Watson roughly sexually assaulted Jane Doe for several minutes in a ‘missionary position’ before grabbing her and flipping her over. Watson continued to assault Jane Doe from behind. Jane Doe finally gathered the courage and strength to escape Watson. Jane Doe quickly ran to dresser to grab a heavy piece of décor for self-defense, and yelled at Watson [to] get out of her apartment. Enraged, Watson stormed out of Jane Doe’s apartment. 

The lawsuit, filed in Harris County Court, seeks damages in excess of $1 million because Doe, as a result of Watson allegedly violating three Sections of the Texas Penal Code (indecent exposure, assault and indecent assault), was the alleged victim of someone who created conscious physical and mental pain and suffering, physical impairment, loss of enjoyment of life and peace of mind, reasonable and necessary counseling and therapy and other damages that will be shown at trial.

You can read the full court filing below:

20240909-original-petition-watson-file-stamp

Jane Doe in this suit is being represented by Tony Buzbee who also represented a number of the previous Jane Doe’s who filled similar suits against Watson. Speaking of which, twenty-three of the previous suits were settled with one dropped and two still active. Additionally, the Houston Texans who Watson was playing for at the time also settled with 30 different women who either filed, were in the process of filing, or were unprepared to file lawsuits against the organization.

As far as this current lawsuit, it further states that Jane Doe was originally prepared to come forward earlier only to be discouraged by the previous treatment of the other survivors and the “lack of meaningful discipline” for Watson who was suspended for a total of 11 games back in 2022.

What’s next for Watson?

There’s no telling how the NFL or Cleveland Browns will approach these latest allegations against Watson. The team hasn’t responded yet to any media inquiries, however, you have to assume that the Browns will explore any available possibilities when it comes to getting out from under any part of that massive contract they gave Watson. Meanwhile, the NFL could use the allegations as a policy violation or a violation of his negotiated suspension and further suspend and/or fine the quarterback.

However, unlike the other lawsuits brought against Watson, this particular one specifically states a “sexual assault” which means the NFL may approach this differently than they had with the others. This may be even more probably considering the NFL has already stated that they have the power to investigate “if any new allegations arise against Watson that are different in nature,” according to the League’s website.

It also seems unlikely that Watson will serve any jail time considering this is a civil and not a criminal lawsuit.