Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, is once again embroiled in legal trouble after a woman filed a new lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and battery. The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday in Houston, comes in the aftermath of the Browns’ season opener and alleges not only sexual assault but also battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to reports, the accusations stem from an incident on October 10, 2020, during a date Watson had with the plaintiff, who filed the suit under the pseudonym “Jane Doe.” This lawsuit bears some similarities to the previous accusations made against Watson in 2021 by more than 20 massage therapists, most of which have since been settled.
The lawsuit claims that Watson became aggressive over the phone when he had difficulty finding the plaintiff’s apartment. Upon arriving at her residence, Watson allegedly grew increasingly unresponsive to her attempts at conversation and escalated the situation when he was found lying naked on her bed, insisting on a massage of his buttocks.
According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe was terrified but tried to calm Watson by massaging his back. However, Watson allegedly continued to demand that she focus on his glutes, eventually flipping over to expose an erection. The plaintiff claims that Watson then sexually assaulted her by partially disrobing her and penetrating her without consent.
The situation reportedly ended when Jane Doe managed to break free, grabbing an item for self-defense and demanding Watson leave her apartment. The lawsuit makes no mention of whether a police report was filed at the time.
The plaintiff is being represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, who also handled many of the cases in the 2021 allegations against Watson. Buzbee stated that this lawsuit would be pursued aggressively, similar to the previous cases. The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial, and Buzbee emphasized the gravity of the case.
Watson previously served an 11-game suspension in 2022 following the prior wave of allegations. The Browns quarterback struggled in his return to the field after a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023, completing just 24 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown while throwing two interceptions in the team’s opening game.
As of now, the Cleveland Browns have not issued a public statement regarding the new lawsuit. Watson continues to face legal scrutiny as he navigates his NFL career amid ongoing controversies.