The N.F.L. quarterback Deshaun Watson on Friday gave his most direct and forceful denial so far of the accusations of sexual misconduct introduced in opposition to him by two dozen ladies.
The previous Houston Texans quarterback, talking at a information convention held by his new group, the Cleveland Browns, mentioned, “I’ve by no means assaulted any lady. I’ve by no means disrespected any lady.”
The Browns traded for the 26-year-old quarterback final week, sending the Texans a bundle that included three first-round picks and giving Watson a completely assured, five-year $230 million contract that set a brand new N.F.L. report for assured cash.
The group made this dedication to Watson as 22 ladies say in civil lawsuits that Watson engaged in sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage appointments by exposing himself, touching them together with his genitals or, in a number of instances, forcing oral intercourse. Two grand juries in Texas rejected 10 felony accusations in opposition to Watson this month.
Watson declined to handle the small print of the allegations, citing the civil instances, however he asserted that the civil and felony complaints filed by a complete of 24 ladies aren’t true. He added that it’s “not my intent” to settle the civil lawsuits in opposition to him.
“I’ve by no means achieved the issues that these persons are alleging, and I’m going to proceed to struggle for my title and clear my title,” Watson mentioned.
Andrew Berry, the Browns basic supervisor, mentioned the group had launched into a “five-month odyssey” to turn out to be comfy pursuing a commerce for Watson, a three-time Professional Bowl quarterback, however he confirmed that the method didn’t embrace talking to any of the ladies who’ve sued Watson.
He mentioned attorneys consulted by the group suggested that reaching out “could possibly be thought of interfering with a felony investigation.” By the point the Browns traded for Watson, although, a grand jury in Harris County, Texas, had already rejected the 9 instances of their jurisdiction and the Harris County District Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned the felony proceedings in that county had been closed. Moreover, N.F.L. investigators have already carried out interviews with at the least 10 of the plaintiffs.
Berry mentioned the group used “impartial investigative assets” within the Houston “regulation enforcement group” to get a “complete and holistic perspective” on the claims in opposition to Watson. Berry didn’t reply when pressed by a reporter on whether or not these investigators spoke to any of the ladies who filed complaints.
Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the 22 plaintiffs, has mentioned nobody affiliated with the Browns or any N.F.L. group contacted him or requested to talk to any of his shoppers. A lawyer for an extra lady who advised Sports activities Illustrated her account of Watson behaving inappropriately in a 2019 therapeutic massage appointment additionally confirmed the Browns didn’t attain out to her or her consumer.
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The Houston Police Division has not mentioned its investigation into Watson and a spokesman mentioned on Friday afternoon that he couldn’t touch upon whether or not the Browns had communicated with the company. In search warrants that had been a part of the police investigation into Watson, one of many officers who labored on the case for practically a yr described the ladies who filed felony complaints as “credible and dependable.”
Greater than 40 ladies have mentioned they offered therapeutic massage remedy to Watson from 2019 by means of March 2021, when the primary lawsuits had been filed. Watson has urged the straightforward entry to them by means of social media was a consider why he has used them however declined to elaborate. He mentioned that he, his brokers and the Browns will “discover a plan” for a way he finds therapeutic massage therapists sooner or later.
Watson mentioned he must earn belief within the Cleveland group and that “there’s a stain that’s most likely going to stay with me for some time.” He bristled when a reporter requested if he would search counseling, saying, “I don’t have an issue. I don’t have a problem, and that’s what I’ve been saying from the start.”
Berry was requested if he and the Browns group imagine Watson had dedicated any wrongdoing. In response, he expressed the group’s confidence in Watson and the constructive impression he’ll make in Cleveland. A group public relations official then wrapped up the information convention and known as for a photograph. Watson stood between Berry and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, holding a No. 4 jersey for the group he now represents.
