NFL Reviewing Intercourse Assault Claims Towards Houston Texans QB DeShaun Watson

DALLAS (AP) — The NFL mentioned Thursday that it was investigating allegations that Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson sexually assaulted a number of ladies after three masseuses filed lawsuits towards the star participant.

In lawsuits filed this week, two of the lady declare that Watson touched them along with his penis throughout massages final yr, and the third alleges he pressured her to carry out oral intercourse.

Watson, 25, has broadly denied that he acted inappropriately and mentioned he seems to be ahead to clearing his title.

The ladies, who will not be named within the lawsuits, are represented by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, who posted an image Thursday of a letter from the NFL on his verified Instagram account that mentioned the league had launched an investigation. Buzbee later deleted the submit.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed in an electronic mail to The Related Press that the matter was “underneath evaluation of the non-public conduct coverage.”

Watson’s lawyer and agent didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark Thursday.

“I’ve by no means handled any lady with something aside from the utmost respect,” the quarterback mentioned in an announcement posted to Twitter Tuesday.

Houston police spokeswoman Jodi Silva declined to touch upon whether or not any of the alleged sexual assaults had been reported to police, saying the division doesn’t determine individuals who haven’t been charged with a criminal offense.

Buzbee didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark Thursday, however wrote in one of many lawsuits that “Watson’s habits is a part of a disturbing sample of preying on weak lady.”

The letter that he briefly posted was from Lisa M. Friel, particular counsel for investigations for the NFL. It mentioned it’s her job to “look into any allegations which may contain a violation of the League’s Private Conduct Coverage.” The letter went on to say that the league had “opened an investigation into these allegations and to request the cooperation of your shoppers in our investigation.”

Based on the fits, the ladies dwell in Texas, Oregon and Georgia and work giving massages. Two claimed that in massages in March and August of final yr Watson was sexually suggestive, uncovered his genitals and moved towards them in ways in which prompted his penis to the touch their palms.

The lawsuit from the third lady describes comparable habits and alleges that in a therapeutic massage in December, Watson ”coerced” her into giving him oral intercourse. The lady didn’t consent after which ”blacked out for a couple of minutes from concern,” the lawsuit states.

The alleged assaults befell at one of many ladies’s properties, a Houston lodge and an workplace constructing within the metropolis, based on the fits. They state that Watson linked with the ladies over social media, the place they marketed their companies, and flew considered one of them from Atlanta to Houston for a therapeutic massage.

Every lady is suing for compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to court docket prices.

Texans spokesman Omar Majzoub launched an announcement on behalf of the staff Thursday saying it had been knowledgeable by the NFL about its investigation. The assertion mentioned the staff “will keep in shut contact with the league” because it investigates.

“We proceed to take this and all issues involving anybody inside the Houston Texans group critically,” the assertion continued. “We don’t anticipate making any extra statements till the NFL’s investigation concludes.”

Watson is without doubt one of the league’s prime quarterbacks and led the NFL in yards passing final season. He signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension with the Texans final offseason, however he turned sad with the path of the staff as Houston sunk to 4-12 and he requested a commerce in January.

Related Press Sports activities Author Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report.