Browns’ Watson Out of the Legal Woods? Texas Attorney Doubts It

Though two Texas grand juries refused to bring criminal charges for sexual assault and harassment against DeShaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns’ new quarterback may not have escaped legal trouble just yet.  

Watson was suspended for the 2021 season under suspicion. Since then, he was traded to Cleveland and appears to have escaped 22 criminal sexual misconduct charges against massage therapists.  

However, a Texas attorney who specializes in such cases, Michelle Simpson Tuegel told Fox News Digital it could be a whole different ball game for the ex-Houston QB if and when legal action against him moves to the civil courts. It won’t be powder-puff allegations there, as it appears to have been in the criminal cases. 

Tuegel explained that most people believe the accused are innocent when they get away from criminal charges. She sees things differently because 80 percent of the clients she represents got their justice in criminal trials.

She stated: 

I think where people really miss certain things is that the criminal process commonly fails adult survivors and the burden of proof in a criminal case is a lot higher than in a civil case or in an administrative investigation – like what the NFL conducted or what schools conduct for sexual assault on campus – a similar administrative type of investigation of sexual misconduct.

One of Tuegel’s clients won a $44 million civil lawsuit after a grand jury refused to indict the perp.

“The burden of and the evidence that is required for the civil claim is different,” she added. 

Watson could still face legal and fan opposition for months or years. Tuegel says that, by acquiring Watson, the Browns and the NFL are sending a “chilling” message to sexual assault victims. It’s nothing new for the NFL. 

Through the years, Tuegel has seen a “repeated pattern of the NFL favoring athletes over and at the expense of victims and I think especially in this MeToo or post-MeToo era, the NFL to some degree is trying to save face by giving the impression that they’re conducting an investigation and so their decisions and his $230 million contract are OK. But I think what’s missed there is this investigation and even in their admission, does not include speaking in depth with the victims” during their independent investigation.

Although the Browns acknowledged that trade could be difficult, they also recognized its importance to women living in their community. Andrew Berry, Browns General Manager, stated that they understand all emotions. He said that the company was “comfortable” with the completion of the trade. Watson said, “Get out there and win baseball games.” 

Tuegel said that Browns were only interested in protecting athletes who are able to win games, and making money. He did not intend on investigating the allegations.  

Tuegel explained that “it has a chilling impact, not only on these women, it also affects other survivors who look at this case really publicly.”

It’s not a pleasant process for the women involved and the women watching how this situation is being handled by NFL teams. Watson insists that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. If he is ever brought up in civil court, perhaps everything will turn out fine.