Deshaun Watson Settles 20 of the 24 Sexual Misconduct Cases Against Him

[milestogo]

Source: New York Times

Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, has reached settlements with 20 of the 24 women who have filed sexual misconduct lawsuits against him, the lawyer Tony Buzbee announced Tuesday morning. In a statement, Buzbee, who represents Watson’s accusers, said that the terms and amounts of these settlements were confidential and that he would not comment further.

The first public allegation against Watson of sexual misconduct during a massage appointment was made in March 2021, resulting in an onslaught of lawsuits filed by additional women. Buzbee said that Ashley Solis, who filed the initial lawsuit, was one of the four women who had not settled.

The accusations against Watson involved massage appointments he had when he played for the Houston Texans. He was traded to Cleveland in March after a grand jury in Harris County, Texas, declined to indict him on criminal charges. The Browns gave Watson an unprecedented, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.

But Watson has faced additional pressure in recent weeks, with two new women filing lawsuits against him. Buzbee also said that he planned to add the Texans as a defendant after a New York Times investigation showed that the team provided the venue Watson used for some of the appointments and furnished him with a nondisclosure agreement.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/21/sports/football/deshaun-watson-settlements.html

[maxsolomon]

1. Sure helps to have $230 million dollars in the bank

to buy your victim's silence.

Way to go, Cleveland Browns.

[Tetrachloride]

2. My speculation is that the settlements were financial only.

and confidential. I am curious if I am incorrect.

[OnlinePoker]

3. Browns fan, but I will not support them until he is gone.

A complete stain on the team having him as their QB.

[maxsolomon]

4. 2028 is a long time from now.

He's not even THAT good. B+ QB, whereas Mayfield is a B.

[Calista241]

10. Watson has poor character, but he is an amazing QB on the football field, imo of course.

I'm just disappointed my Atlanta Falcons were even in the bidding for his services.

[maxsolomon]

15. Meh, he's better than most, but not "amazing". I'll stick with B+.

After the Russell Wilson saga concluded in Seattle, I'm down on NFL QBs right now (and Coaches and GMs and Owners).

You start to see a QB's limitations after a while. It was pretty apparent that Wilson would never get the Seahawks back to a Superb Owl. He won't get Denver there, either.

Cleveland obviously realized Mayfield wouldn't get them there. I doubt Watson will.

[Mysterian]

14. I thought Mayfield was pretty good

I'd like to see Mayfield succeed with another team.

[qazplm135]

5. his next problem is NFL action

I am hearing they are talking about a year long suspension, which means he will have gone two years without playing.

Would be pretty unlikely that he comes back as good as he was before this.

I'm not commenting here on whether he should come back. Obviously in a perfect world he'd be tried for these in a criminal court, but just on the likelihood that he's likely not to be as good as he was after all of this...and likely not playing this upcoming season.

[milestogo]

6. Yup

He's going to run out of money if he doesn't stop assaulting women.

[exboyfil]

7. I am pretty sure he will be soliciting professionals going forward

Maybe even taking frequent trips to Nevada.

[Angleae]

9. Don't keep your hopes up.

He's a big name QB. Goodell isn't likely to do anything major. Possibly a few games but not a year.

[qazplm135]

16. I don't have "hopes"

I simply follow the reporting from major NFL press.

[Calista241]

11. I don't think the Browns would've shelled out the money they did without a wink and a nod

from the league office. I could be wrong, but NFL teams aren't given to paying players to not play.

[qazplm135]

17. I think they do when desperate

NFL front offices make all sorts of stupid decisions all of the time.

[old guy]

8. That's the reason for the huge contract.

Cleveland basically agreed to cover all his penalties and still leave him with a huge chunk of change. I suspect he will be suspended so they will lose him for that period and when he does play he will have to have his head on a swivel because I guarantee there are players who will take their shot every chance they get.

[henbuck]

12. Judge Robinson

The NFL can ask for what suspension they want, but they don't have the final say. Judge Sue L Robinson is the arbiter and she rules.

https://www.ded.uscourts.gov/judge/judge-sue-l-robinson

[brooklynite]

13. No fair jumping to conclusions.....

[Skittles]

18. fucking pervert