Deshaun Watson’s on-field struggles in the Cleveland Browns’ Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys have now been overshadowed by another troubling legal battle off the field. Watson, already embroiled in controversy over previous accusations of sexual misconduct, is now facing a new lawsuit that brings similar allegations to light. This comes a couple of years after more than 20 women accused the quarterback of inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment during massage sessions.
According to a report by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Watson has been sued again in Houston, where he used to play as the quarterback for the Houston Texans. The allegations in this new lawsuit are described as “strikingly similar” to the earlier accusations, which had resulted in multiple legal cases against the 28-year-old player.
The new lawsuit, which accuses Watson of sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, paints a disturbing picture of the alleged encounter. The incident reportedly occurred when Watson arrived at the apartment of the unnamed plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe, for what was intended to be a massage session.
According to the details of the lawsuit provided by Pro Football Talk, the situation escalated quickly. The lawsuit alleges that upon arriving at Jane Doe’s apartment, Watson was already upset. As Jane Doe finished preparing in her bathroom, leaving the door open to converse with Watson, she soon realized he had gone silent. Upon checking on him, she found Watson completely naked, lying face-down on her bed.
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Jane Doe, startled and terrified, claims that Watson demanded she massage his buttocks. Despite her attempts to deflect the request by offering to massage his back instead, Watson allegedly continued to insist on the inappropriate demand. The lawsuit details that Watson then revealed an erection, continuing to pressure Jane Doe into complying with his requests.
What followed, according to the lawsuit, was a harrowing sequence of events. Watson allegedly grabbed Jane Doe, partially disrobed her, and then forcibly penetrated her without her consent. The lawsuit states that Jane Doe was left paralyzed with fear, uncertain of how to respond to Watson’s advances without risking her safety. After enduring several minutes of the alleged assault, she managed to escape and grabbed a heavy object for self-defense, shouting at Watson to leave. Watson, enraged, reportedly stormed out of her apartment.
The legal window for filing such accusations remains open in Texas, as the statute of limitations for these claims is five years. The attorney representing Jane Doe in this case is Tony Buzbee, the same lawyer who previously represented many of the women involved in the original wave of lawsuits against Watson.
Despite settling 23 of the earlier lawsuits, with a few more set to proceed to civil trial, Watson continues to face scrutiny for his alleged behavior. The NFL had suspended him for 11 games during the 2022 season, coupled with a $5 million fine. The new lawsuit only adds to the mounting legal challenges Watson must navigate as he tries to rebuild his image and career.
On the field, Watson’s Week 1 performance did little to inspire confidence. He threw for just 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the Browns’ 33-17 loss to the Cowboys. With his struggles on both fronts—professional and personal—Watson’s future remains uncertain as he continues to face both legal and athletic challenges.
This latest development underscores the ongoing nature of the controversies surrounding Watson, raising questions about how these issues will impact his career moving forward, and how the Browns, who signed Watson to a massive contract, will handle the fallout from yet another serious allegation.
