Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson denied the newest sexual assault and battery allegations filed in opposition to him in a lawsuit stemming from an alleged 2020 incident.
“Deshaun strongly denies the allegations within the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday,” Watson’s legal professional Rusty Hardin mentioned in a press release on Wednesday. “Now we have requested him to not remark additional whereas the matter works its manner by the courts, however are snug he’ll in the end be vindicated.
“We shall be able to defend this case in court docket on the applicable time, however don’t intend to conduct our protection within the media. We’d ask that individuals be affected person whereas the authorized course of runs its course.
“Within the meantime, Deshaun goes to focus his vitality and focus on soccer.”
Addressing media on Wednesday, the QB stayed on message.
“I deal with retaining the primary factor the primary factor,” Watson mentioned. “That’s after I stroll into this constructing, specializing in being the very best quarterback that I might be, on the sport plan and making an attempt to be higher than we have been final week so we are able to get a W.”
Watson is being sued for sexual assault, battery and intentional inflection of emotional misery within the new lawsuit filed Monday in Houston.
The person is looking for compensatory and punitive damages in extra of $1 million.
Below the “Jane Doe” pseudonym, the person alleges she had a date set with Watson for Oct. 10, 2020. Watson couldn’t discover her condo after which referred to as her, allegedly “aggressively yelling and screaming and stating that he couldn’t discover her condo and that he ‘doesn’t have time for this.’”
Watson ultimately made it to her spot and he or she allegedly later discovered him “fully bare” face-down on her mattress after which “aggressively insisted” she therapeutic massage his buttocks.
Watson allegedly grew to become upset that she wouldn’t therapeutic massage him the place he needed earlier than grabbing her leg and laying her down.
“Watson then partially disrobed Jane Doe and penetrated her vagina with out consent, implicit or express. Jane Doe felt paralyzed, not sure if she ought to danger her security by making an attempt to cease Watson or endure his assault. Watson roughly sexually assaulted Jane Doe for a number of minutes in a ‘missionary place’ earlier than grabbing her and flipping her over,” the lawsuit reads. “Watson continued to assault Doe aggressively from behind. Jane Doe lastly gathered the braveness and power to flee Watson. Jane Doe rapidly ran to her dresser to seize a heavy piece of décor for self-defense, and yelled at Watson (to) get out of her condo. Enraged, Watson stormed out of Jane Doe’s condo.”
This lawsuit carries some comparable components to the greater than 20 beforehand filed in opposition to Watson.
Twenty-four civil lawsuits have been filed in opposition to Watson alleging sexual harassment or assault throughout personal therapeutic massage classes whereas he performed for the Texans from 2017-21, and 23 have been settled confidentially.
Watson obtained an 11-game suspension through the 2022 season and a $5 million wonderful.
The NFL is trying into this newest lawsuit however isn’t stopping Watson from suiting up.
“We’re reviewing the criticism, and we are going to look into the matter underneath the private conduct coverage. Not commissioner’s exempt checklist as there’s been no formal fees and the league’s evaluation has simply begun,” league spokesperson Brian McCarthy mentioned Tuesday.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski instructed reporters Wednesday that Watson will play Sunday in opposition to Jacksonville whereas the crew lets the “due course of play out.”
Each playoff hopefuls wish to keep away from 0-2 begins.
Watson performed a big position in why the Browns began the season with a loss, finishing 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, including one landing and two interceptions within the 33-17 house loss to the Cowboys.
The veteran has not performed properly because the Browns traded six draft picks, together with three first-rounders, to land Watson after which signal him to a assured five-year contract.