Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) closes in during the first half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. A woman suing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson intends to cooperate with the NFL as it reviews her allegations of sexual assault and battery, her attorney told ESPN.
The unidentified woman filed the civil lawsuit in Harris County, Texas, on Monday. She alleges that Watson assaulted her on a dinner date at her apartment in October 2020 when he played for the Houston Texans.
“We will be scheduling a meeting with the NFL and hope that can be accomplished in the next two weeks,” attorney Tony Buzbee wrote in an email to ESPN. “We have a video and two additional witnesses for the NFL to speak with. I’ve personally never had confidence in the NFL’s disciplinary process but my client has chosen to engage it.”
Buzbee represented two dozen other women who filed sexual misconduct lawsuits against Watson, which reportedly occurred during massage sessions. He settled 23 of the cases out of court.
The NFL is reviewing the most recent complaint to see if Watson violated its personal conduct policy. He has not been put on the commissioner’s exempt list since the investigation is only in the early stages, and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Watson, who turns 29 on Saturday, issued a statement through his attorney, denying the woman’s claims.
This lawsuit is the latest legal trouble for Watson. In 2021, he sat out the season as allegations of sexual misconduct emerged with the first lawsuit filed against him in March.
After the Texans traded him to the Browns in a blockbuster deal, Watson served an 11-game suspension in the 2022 season and was fined $5 million.
The Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract extension — fully guaranteed.
The suspension and injuries have limited Watson to just 13 starts over two-plus seasons in Cleveland.
With the Browns, he has completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 2,386 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
–Field Level Media