The N.F.L. on Thursday started investigating the conduct of the Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been accused in civil lawsuits of sexually assaulting three female massage therapists. The lawsuits have been filed this week in Harris County, Texas.
In a letter addressed to Tony Buzbee, the Houston plaintiffs’ lawyer representing all three ladies, Lisa Friel, a particular counsel for investigations on the league, requested the cooperation of the accusers. Buzbee posted the letter to Instagram however later deleted it. A league spokesman stated the matter was below evaluation in relation to the N.F.L.’s private conduct coverage. That coverage governs off-field habits involving gamers and coaches.
The Texans stated in a press release Thursday that they’d “continue to take this and all matters involving anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously” and that the staff wouldn’t remark additional till the league’s investigation had ended. The N.F.L. typically takes months to finish its investigations, which embrace interviews with accusers and N.F.L. workers, in addition to legislation enforcement officers.
Earlier on Thursday, Buzbee stated on Instagram {that a} complete of 9 ladies had come ahead with accusations in opposition to Watson, who has not spoken publicly concerning the allegations since he posted a press release to Twitter on Tuesday evening, after the primary criticism in opposition to him had been filed. Watson stated that he had “never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect” and that he had rejected “a baseless six-figure settlement demand” made by Buzbee earlier than the primary go well with was filed.
The third criticism, filed Wednesday evening, echoed descriptions of habits detailed within the two different fits filed in opposition to Watson. It stated that Watson, 25, had pressured the girl to carry out oral intercourse throughout a therapeutic massage on Dec. 28 at an workplace constructing in Houston.
Watson, who contacted the girl by way of a direct message on Instagram, began to aggressively dictate how she ought to therapeutic massage him, the criticism stated, and instructed her to work on his hamstrings, internal thighs and “inner glutes.” Watson then instructed her to maneuver her hand throughout his genitals, the criticism stated, and pushed her mouth towards his penis. According to the criticism, the girl was so shaken that she blacked out for a couple of minutes. Watson received dressed and left with out apologizing, the criticism stated.
Watson has employed Rusty Hardin, a outstanding protection lawyer additionally based mostly in Houston. Hardin has defended different well-known athletes within the space, together with Roger Clemens and James Harden. In a cellphone interview, Hardin declined to debate the case and stated solely that he was nonetheless studying the main points.
After the league finishes its investigation, Watson might be fined or suspended if he’s discovered to have violated the league’s private conduct coverage. He may enchantment any penalties.
In 2014, the league started hiring its personal skilled investigators, together with Friel, a former prosecutor in New York City, to evaluation allegations of dangerous habits off the sector, notably associated to sexual assault and home violence. Before then, the league sometimes relied on legislation enforcement companies and resolutions within the courts to resolve whether or not to penalize anybody.
Ken Belson contributed reporting.
