The N.F.L. quarterback Deshaun Watson on Friday gave his most direct and forceful denial so far of the accusations of sexual misconduct introduced in opposition to him by two dozen girls.
The previous Houston Texans quarterback, talking at a information convention held by his new staff, the Cleveland Browns, mentioned, “I’ve by no means assaulted any lady. I’ve by no means disrespected any lady.”
The Browns traded for the 26-year-old quarterback final week, sending the Texans a package deal that included three first-round picks and giving Watson a completely assured, five-year $230 million contract that set a brand new N.F.L. report for assured cash.
The staff made this dedication to Watson as 22 girls say in civil lawsuits that Watson engaged in sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage appointments by exposing himself, touching them together with his genitals or, in a number of circumstances, forcing oral intercourse. Two grand juries in Texas rejected 10 legal accusations in opposition to Watson this month.
Watson declined to handle the small print of the allegations, citing the civil circumstances, however he asserted that the civil and legal complaints filed by a complete of 24 girls aren’t true. He added that it’s “not my intent” to settle the civil lawsuits in opposition to him.
“I’ve by no means accomplished the issues that these persons are alleging, and I’m going to proceed to combat for my identify and clear my identify,” Watson mentioned.
Andrew Berry, the Browns normal supervisor, mentioned the staff had launched into a “five-month odyssey” to turn into comfy pursuing a commerce for Watson, a three-time Professional Bowl quarterback, however he confirmed that the method didn’t embody chatting with any of the ladies who’ve sued Watson.
He mentioned legal professionals consulted by the staff suggested that reaching out “may very well be thought of interfering with a legal investigation.” By the point the Browns traded for Watson, although, a grand jury in Harris County, Texas, had already rejected the 9 circumstances of their jurisdiction and the Harris County District Lawyer’s Workplace mentioned the legal proceedings in that county have been closed. Moreover, N.F.L. investigators have already performed interviews with at the least 10 of the plaintiffs.
Berry mentioned the staff used “unbiased investigative sources” within the Houston “regulation enforcement neighborhood” to get a “complete and holistic perspective” on the claims in opposition to Watson. Berry didn’t reply when pressed by a reporter on whether or not these investigators spoke to any of the ladies who filed complaints.
Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the 22 plaintiffs, has mentioned nobody affiliated with the Browns or any N.F.L. staff contacted him or requested to talk to any of his shoppers. A lawyer for a further lady who instructed Sports activities Illustrated her account of Watson behaving inappropriately in a 2019 therapeutic massage appointment additionally confirmed the Browns didn’t attain out to her or her shopper.
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The Houston Police Division has not mentioned its investigation into Watson and a spokesman mentioned on Friday afternoon that he couldn’t touch upon whether or not the Browns had communicated with the company. In search warrants that have been a part of the police investigation into Watson, one of many officers who labored on the case for almost a 12 months described the ladies who filed legal complaints as “credible and dependable.”
Greater than 40 girls have mentioned they offered therapeutic massage remedy to Watson from 2019 by March 2021, when the primary lawsuits have been filed. Watson has instructed the straightforward entry to them by social media was a consider why he has used them however declined to elaborate. He mentioned that he, his brokers and the Browns will “discover a plan” for the way he finds therapeutic massage therapists sooner or later.
Watson mentioned he should earn belief within the Cleveland neighborhood and that “there’s a stain that’s in all probability going to stay with me for some time.” He bristled when a reporter requested if he would search counseling, saying, “I don’t have an issue. I don’t have a difficulty, and that’s what I’ve been saying from the start.”
Berry was requested if he and the Browns group imagine Watson had dedicated any wrongdoing. In response, he expressed the staff’s confidence in Watson and the constructive influence he’ll make in Cleveland. A staff public relations official then wrapped up the information convention and referred to as for a photograph. Watson stood between Berry and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, holding a No. 4 jersey for the staff he now represents.
