Content warning: This article contains depictions of alleged sexual assault.
The plaintiff accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and battery in a civil lawsuit will meet with the NFL to discuss the allegations in the next two weeks, according to her attorney.
Attorney Tony Buzbee said Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that his client and two people who spoke to her immediately after the alleged assault will meet with the league. He also said there is video to offer “that will be relevant.”
Buzbee added in an email to ESPN who does not look favorably on the NFL’s disciplinary process, but his client decided to speak with the league and cooperate in its investigation.
“We will be scheduling a meeting with the NFL and hope to have it finalized in the next two weeks,” Buzbee wrote to ESPN. “We have video and two additional witnesses that the NFL can speak with. I have personally never had confidence in the NFL’s disciplinary process, but my client has decided to participate.”
The lawsuit was filed Monday in Harris County, Texas, and says the incident in question occurred in October 2020 while Watson was playing for Houston Texas. According to the lawsuit, Watson and the plaintiff were planning to have dinner at his apartment, but became angry and aggressive when he couldn’t find her address.
After inviting him in, the woman finished getting ready and then emerged from the bathroom to find Watson naked on her bed, lying face down. Watson insisted that she massage his buttocks and when she refused, he demanded that he massage her groin area. She refused again, after which Watson allegedly sexually assaulted her. The woman eventually escaped and yelled at Watson to get out of her apartment.
Watson denied the allegations Wednesday through his attorney, Rusty Hardin, who said Watson would “defend this case in court” but would not do so through the media.
The NFL said it is investigating the claim Under the league’s personal conduct policy, the league will not place Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list because no formal charges have been filed and the NFL has only just begun reviewing the matter.
Declaration of #Browns On Browns spokesman Deshaun Watson:
“We will respect the due process afforded by our legal system with respect to the recently filed civil lawsuit and will follow the NFL’s guidance on this matter.”— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) September 10, 2024
Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022 following more than 20 allegations of sexual assault, many of them by massage therapists, while playing for the Texans. He was not criminally charged in any of the cases and has continually denied all allegations. Houston traded Watson to the Browns before the 2022 season.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Watson will start as expected in the Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the 33-17 Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Watson threw for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 24-of-45 passing.
“We will respect the due process our legal system affords with respect to the recently filed civil lawsuit and will follow the NFL’s guidance on this matter,” the Browns said in a statement.
