by Editor’s Note: This story contains sexual harassment stories. If you or someone you know has been a survivor of sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. https://www.rainn.org
Almost two years have passed Deshaun Watson last played – defeated the Titans 41-38 to finish the Texans’ 2020 season.
Just a few months later, the first of 26 sexual misconduct lawsuits filed against the quarterback was filed in March 2021. Now Watson will return to the field in the Browns on Sunday against his former team in Houston and Tony Buzbee. Lawyers for 25 of the plaintiffs will be present, along with about 10 women who have filed suit against the embattled player. Athletic.
Buzbee said Watson had just escaped from his 11-game suspension and is still facing two active civil lawsuits. Athletic He said he would attend the match “with bells and whistles”. He invited 25 women, although some said he would not attend. But the message that attendees wanted to convey to Watson was, “You think you’ve left us behind, but we’re still here.”
Watson has faced extensive legal challenges for over a year. More than two dozen files contained detailed graphic accounts of sexual harassment and assault; from refusing to cover his genitals to “touching” it [a plaintiff] with his penis and trying to force her to give him blowjobs.” In the latest lawsuit filed by a different attorney less than two months after the NFL and NFLPA agreed to suspend Watson for 11 games and fine him $5 million, “Watson took off his towel and offered to let him ‘go to the top’. he did. Plaintiff refused to have sex with Watson, but was able to pressure Watson to have oral sex with Defendant.”
Only one case was dropped in April 2021 due to privacy concerns. Watson then agreed to settle 20 of the remaining 24 active lawsuits in late June 2022, and subsequently agreed to settle three of the four remaining civil lawsuits filed against him. first disciplinary decision by independent referee Sue L. Robinson.
Robinson, a former federal judge, stated in the report that “the NFL bears the burden of proving that Mr Watson sexually assaulted the four therapists identified in the case (as defined by the NFL)”. Statement.” It also found that he engaged in conduct that “constitutes a real danger to the safety and well-being of another person and that undermines or puts the integrity of the NFL at risk.”
However, Robinson distinguished between violent and non-violent behavior and concluded that his behavior “doesn’t fall into the category of violent behavior that warrants a six-game suspension”, which the league has determined as “by far the most common behavior”. disciplined for domestic or gender-based violence and sexual acts.”
The NFL appealed Robinson’s decision, and Roger Goodell appointed former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey to decide the decision. However, the league and players association reached an agreement in mid-August over Watson’s suspension, shortly after the quarterback played in the team’s first pre-season game against the Jaguars.
Watson continued to stand behind his innocence and denied previous allegations against him. Both Texas grand juries denied indicting him this spring, and the Browns’ owners have previously said they would trade him again for him.
The quarterback was reinstated on Monday and set to take first-team reps on Wednesday with a Sunday start on the horizon. according to a report From Cleveland.com Mary Kay Cabot.
