While Deshaun Watson has been traded to Cleveland as a Quarterback, his team remains determined to clear up the mess left by this supposed pervert. Houston Texans has reached an agreement to settle with the 30 women who had accused Watson of sexual misconduct. It’s another sad chapter in the deepening record of criminal behavior by NFL players.
Watson played four seasons for the Texans, but he was forced to sit out the last year due to the numerous allegations against him made by masseuses. His baggage and Watson were traded to Cleveland this year. He settled his case with twenty of his accusers.
One of the women who settled with Houston had sued the team in June, alleging knowledge of the athlete’s misconduct. Her suit said the Texans turned a “blind eye” to the scandal and were “aware of Watson’s alleged behavior during message therapy sessions and the individuals within the Texas organization knew or should have known of Watson’s conduct.”
Tony Buzbee was the lawyer for the thirty women who were part of the settlement.
Today, all women who made or planned to make claims against Houston Texans are satisfied with their settlements. All details of settlements including the respective amounts are confidential. I will have no further comment on the allegations or the Texans’ alleged role, other than to say that there is a marked contrast in the way in which the Texans addressed these allegations, and the way in which Watson’s team has done so. As previously reported, just one of the 30 women who filed allegations against the Texans had ever filed a formal complaint. Once the necessary settlement paperwork has been completed, this particular lawsuit will not be considered.
Buzbee’s full statement appears on this Twitter link. Additionally, he said it took a great deal of fortitude for his clients to come forward against a “wrongdoer” who is rich, powerful and famous. He hopes that their courage will be an inspiration to others who were victims of abuse sexually.
The New York Times previously reported that the Texans had arranged for Watson’s membership to a private club where some of the alleged sexual abuse took place.
Janice, Hannah, and Cal McNair, owners of the Texans, were “shocked and deeply saddened” when they found out so many women were alleging sexual misconduct against Watson. They stated:
Although our organization did not have any knowledge of Deshaun Watson’s alleged misconduct, we have intentionally chosen to resolve this matter amicably. This does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing but a firm stand against all forms of sexual assault or misconduct.
Watson and the Texans then paid Watson to let women go. Their personal stories don’t acquit him by any means.
In fact, Watson’s legal mess is far from over. A retired federal judge who presided over a hearing on charges against Watson, Sue L. Robinson, is expected to issue a decision soon as to potential punishment under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
The NFL, which has its hands full of wayward players logging criminal records, has been watching the legal process play out and has not punished Watson. It’s been widely speculated that he will eventually receive a suspension of some unknown length of time.
The sordid sagas of Watson and the growing list of arrested players ought to make the league that boasts football is “gay, lesbian, queer and transgender” add “criminal” to that list.
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