Amid increased scrutiny of his performance on the field, Cleveland Browns back Deshaun Watson is again facing problems off the field, newly accused in a civil suit for sexual assault in 2020. Watson, however, “vehemently denies” the allegations, his attorney said Wednesday, and the Browns have not even considered firing the veteran signal-caller, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“We will let the legal process unfold and follow NFL guidelines,” Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday.
Stefanski added that he was “not aware of the allegations” before they surfaced recently. Watson echoed that sentiment, telling reporters later Wednesday that he “found out right when everyone else found out.”
The lawsuit, filed Monday in Houston, alleges that Watson exposed himself to and sexually assaulted the woman, who has not been publicly identified, while on a date at her apartment.
“Deshaun vehemently denies the allegations in the Jane Doe complaint filed Monday,” said Watson’s attorney Rusty Hardin. he said in a statement on Wednesday. “We have asked him not to comment further while this matter works its way through the courts, but we are confident that he will be vindicated in the end. We will be prepared to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but we do not intend to conduct Our Defense in the media. We would ask people to be patient while the legal process takes its course, Deshaun will focus his energy and concentration on football.”
Tony Buzbee, attorney for the alleged victim, responded with own statement later Wednesday, claiming he first spent 10 months trying unsuccessfully to privately resolve the case. He called the lawsuit “the most serious and high-profile case brought against Watson to date” and asserted that Watson was “well aware of what he did.” Buzbee added that the NFL has already contacted him about the allegations and that he expects a “jury trial” to address the case.
“I can understand, given the number of women Mr. Watson has interacted with,” Buzbee said, “that he might forget some or many of them. However, given the nature of the alleged conduct in this case, I expect this incident to be something which he won’t soon forget.”
Buzbee said the prosecutor will cooperate with the NFL’s investigation into the matter and added that he has “relevant” video to share as well.
“We intend to talk to the NFL in two weeks,” Buzbee said Pro Football Talk via Civil Servantt. “However, this week I have to attend Coast Guard hearings in South Carolina regarding the Titan submarine implosion as I represent the victim’s family. When I return, I intend to make my client available for interview along with the two people who spoke to her immediately after the attack, I also have a video to share that will be relevant.”
Watson addressed reporters later Wednesday, pointing to his attorney’s remarks and reiterating that he is focused on football. He played down concerns about his character, indicating that he has the continued support of the organization despite the latest allegations.
“I can’t speak for the fans, I can’t speak for anyone outside of this building,” Watson said, “but I know that, hearing from Haslam and [general manager Andrew Berry] and those guys, I know they tell me every day that they support me and have my back and want me to focus on being the best quarterback I can be. … They know my character. They see me every day. They know exactly who I am. And I think that’s the difference. When you are around me every day, you know my aura, you know my energy, you know my character, I think you would understand who I really am.”
When asked if Watson will suit up for the Browns’ Week 2 matchup with Jacksonville JaguarsStefanski confirmed this, saying that the defender is “focused on the task”. He added that he had “not at all” considered benching Watson given the seriousness of the new lawsuit, nor was he concerned about the NFL suspending the running back: “I’m not really thinking about it.”
The NFL is reviewing the new lawsuit, which comes roughly two years after the league handed Watson an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Before his trade from Houston Texans The Browns, the former Pro Bowler, have been accused by more than 20 different women of sexual assault or misconduct, which allegedly occurred during dozens of massage therapy sessions. Two Texas grand juries have declined to indict Watson for his alleged conduct.