On Tuesday, the fate of Deshaun Watson’s NFL season will be in the hands of the NFL and the NFL Players Association. One source according to ESPN said the decision concerning Deshaun Watson could take one week. The NFL is hoping for a resolution before training camp begins in late July.
Watson is accused of sexual assault or misconduct during massage sessions by a multitude of different women in the 2020-2021 season. According to a report in the New York Times, Watson’s former team, the Houston Texans, provided him with hotel memberships and non-disclosure agreements to use for massage appointments. Of the 24 civil lawsuits brought against Watson, twenty of them were settled out of court. As of June 13, two more women came forward with accusations of sexual misconduct.
In the NYT report, Watson allegedly met with at least 66 different women in the span of 17 months from 2019 to 2021 for massage appointments. Two separate grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson with criminal charges in March. Rusty Hardin, Watson’s attorney, released a statement regarding the clearing of criminal charges against Watson. “We are delighted that the grand jury has looked at the matter thoroughly and reached the same conclusion we did. Deshaun Watson did not commit any crimes and is not guilty of any offenses.”
Watson is entering his first season with the Browns. On March 20, he was acquired in a trade with the Texans for three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round selections. Watson also signed a five-year, $230 million contract.
NFL insiders say that the league is arguing for a lengthy suspension of at least a year citing testimony from some of Watson’s accusers. The NFLPA, representing Watson plans to argue against this suspension.
About Post Author
