![Deshaun Watson]()
If you clicked on this thinking, "This story must be from a couple of years ago," you'd be mistaken. Deshaun Watson is facing new allegations in 2024.
Back in 2021, Deshaun Watson was hit with over 20 lawsuits that alleged and accused the NFL star (?) of sexual misconduct. The staggering number of cases - and their repetitive nature (with most involving masseuses) - led the newly acquired Browns quarterback to be suspended 11 games in 2022.
And though it was shocking to see all of the cases come out against Watson in 2021, most thought that the lawsuits were now in the past. The Cleveland Browns were certainly banking on that since they signed him to a 5-year, $230 million contract - which is now viewed as
one of the worst in the league.
But today, a new lawsuit was brought to Deshaun Watson - a day after the quarterback struggled immensely in the Browns season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The plaintiff in the lawsuit, who is going by "Jane Doe" (and is represented by the lawyer that helped in other lawsuits against Watson in 2021) sued Watson in Houston for sexual assault and battery along with intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Unlike the other cases that were brought against Watson in recent years, "Jane Doe" says she was supposed to go on a date with Watson in October of 2020. According to the allegations, Watson became incredibly frustrated when he couldn't find Doe's apartment, and screamed over the phone that he "doesn't have time for this."
And that was apparently just the start. The lawsuit that "Jane Doe" brought to Watson alleged the football player of doing some very strange and abusive things, much like all of the other cases that were brought against him back in 2021.
You can
read through some of Doe's allegations below:
"Jane Doe came out of her bathroom to investigate Watson’s silence and shockingly found him completely naked on her bed, lying face-down on his stomach. While Jane Doe stood there in shock, Watson turned his head and aggressively insisted that she massage him, gesturing to his buttocks. Jane Doe asked if Watson meant he wanted her to massage his back, but Watson indicated that it was his buttocks he wanted massaged."
Out of fear, she decided to rub his back, which he allegedly wasn't interested in:
"Seemingly frustrated that Doe would only rub his back, Watson then turned over, revealing an erection. Watson continued to demand that Jane Doe massage him, gesturing from his knees to his groin. Jane Doe froze in fear, unsure of how to refuse Watson’s advances without jeopardizing her safety. Confused and scared, she reiterated to Watson that she wasn’t a masseuse. Watson asked her what she wanted to do instead.
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, implicit 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 Doe aggressively from behind. Jane Doe finally gathered the courage and strength to escape Watson. Jane Doe quickly ran to her 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."
Because this lawsuit alleges that Watson sexually assaulted "Jane Doe," it avoids the statute of limitations period. And it's important to note that this is the first time that Watson has been accused of sexual assault instead of sexual misconduct.
This is sure to create some issues with Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns and the NFL. A sexual assault lawsuit would very much be a violation of the league's Personal Conduct Policy, which creates quite the interesting situation for Cleveland.
Remember how I said Watson's contract is viewed as one of the worst in the NFL? If the Browns QB was to be suspended, and that's a big
if, the Cleveland franchise could use that as way to void the guaranteed money that Deshaun Watson was promised in his contract. Thus, it would make it financially easier for them to move on from Watson as their quarterback.
And if all of these allegations end up to be true, it's time to stop giving chances to Watson and officially close the door on his NFL career. The Browns and their unhappy fanbase would certainly be okay with punting on Deshaun...
