When it comes to Week 1 of the NFL season, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson turned in one of the worst quarterbacking performances in the league.
That, however, proved to be the least of Watson’s worries, as a woman filed a lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, on Monday, accusing the three-time Pro Bowl signal-caller of sexual assault and battery.
The allegations come two years after the former Clemson star settled civil lawsuits with 23 women accusing him of sexual misconduct during his time with the Houston Texans. Watson subsequently reached a settlement with the NFL to serve an 11-game suspension to open the 2022 season, which marked his first with the Browns.
The latest incident involving Watson is alleged to have occurred in 2020 when he was still a member of the Houston Texans. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the 28-year-old quarterback denied the allegations, deferring to a statement released by his attorney, Rusty Hardin.
“Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday,” Hardin said in a statement provided to multiple outlets. “We have asked him to not comment further while the matter works its way through the courts, but are comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated.
“We will be ready to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but don’t intend to conduct our defense in the media. We would ask that people be patient while the legal process runs its course.
“In the meantime, Deshaun is going to focus his energy and concentration on football.”
Asked why he continues to be at the center of such accusations, Watson responded, “I’m in the same boat as you, boss man.”
In the meantime, Watson is still set to start at quarterback on Sunday when the Browns are scheduled to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in a pivotal Week 2 matchup. The NFL has stated that it is currently looking into the allegations, but does not plan to put the quarterback on the commissioner’s exempt list at this time.
