Since Roger Goodell said two weeks ago the NFL’s Deshaun Watson investigation was nearing an end, two more women filed civil lawsuits against the Browns quarterback. Following the 23rd suit, Watson’s defense team denied the accuser’s account. After the 24th, Rusty Hardin indicated the defense only learned the latest accuser’s name when the suit was filed.
The 24th accuser presenting new information could open the door to Watson’s Browns guarantees being at risk. The Browns structured Watson’s fully guaranteed contract so the guarantees would not void if he was suspended based on one of the then-22 civil suits, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk raises the prospect of a ban based partially on a new lawsuit penetrating the bulletproof guarantee language. It is still possible the Hardin-led camp and the Browns were aware of another potential suit, but it coming more than two months after Watson signed his contract creates some uncertainty regarding the guarantees.
Given their extraordinary effort to acquire Watson via the record-shattering $230MM guaranteed figure, it seems unlikely the team would push to void guarantees. Watson has denied any wrongdoing, but the Browns continue to see detailed accounts of accusations against their trade acquisition emerge.
An expansive report from the New York Times’ Jenny Vrentas indicates Watson received massages from at least 66 women over a 17-month span from fall 2019 to spring 2021, the end of this timeframe bringing forth the avalanche of allegations against the then-Texans passer. Women who did not sue Watson accuse the 26-year-old QB of attempting to turn massage therapy sessions into sexual encounters, and Vrentas adds another woman withdrew her complaint due to “privacy and security concerns.”
Including Instagram messages between Watson and accusers and testimony from the ongoing civil trials — said testimony revealing, in at least one of the suits, Watson admitting a masseuse’s experience and skill level was not a priority — Vrentas’ piece also includes civil testimony in which Watson said the Texans helped him with a nondisclosure agreement. The 23rd woman to file suit against Watson, Nia Smith, shared texts, Watson’s phone number and some of his Cash App receipts on her Instagram account after his alleged sexual misconduct during their three massage sessions. Watson said the Texans provided an NDA in late 2020, and Vrentas reports he began taking NDAs to massage sessions soon after. The Texans also set up Watson with a membership at The Houstonian, a hotel where at least seven women gave him massages occurred, according to Vrentas.
The NFL has interviewed 21 of the first 22 women to accuse Watson of sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot, and has concluded its interviews with the embattled passer, who switched his Twitter account to private following Vrentas’ story. Goodell said in March that, based on NFL and NFLPA talks, Watson would not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. Barring the Browns asking Watson to stay away from their workouts, he will continue to practice with his new team. If the NFL did not know about the information uncovered in Vrentas’ account, Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson discusses whether the exempt list (paid leave) would now apply. The NFL did not place Watson on the exempt list last year; the Texans instead deactivated him 17 times.
A suspension is expected to be announced in July, and the run of information leading up to the independent arbitrator’s (and later Goodell’s) decision could increase the likelihood of a lengthy ban. This matter stands to hang over Watson for most or all of 2023 as well, with the civil trials going on pause from August 1, 2022-March 1, 2023. A second suspension could take place once the suits conclude. Watson missed his age-26 season due to these accusations and his previous trade request. The negative PR coming his way may well prompt the NFL to levy a harsh ban, putting his age-27 campaign in jeopardy.
NFL suspension for dog fighting: 2 years.
NFL suspension for abusing 24+ women: Zero
Next time the NFL hosts a pink ribbon event you should burn the ribbon in the parking lot.
2 years for being CONVICTED of dog fighting, I’m not defending Watson because he’s absolutely disgusting but 24 allegations isn’t the same as being convicted of a crime.
Actually a suspension under the NFL Personal Conduct Policy doesn’t require ANY legal actions to have ever taken place. Just ask Calvin Ridley (the guy suspended for a year for betting on games)…
No duh, but that still doesn’t mean 24 accusations = 1 conviction. If the NFL investigates and finds insufficient evidence, just as the grand juries that declined to prosecute did then while it’s still a black eye to have a that many accusations it’s still not in the ballpark of actually being convicted of something awful.
Vick spent 21 months in Federal prison. After 22 accusations, 2 grand juries failed to bring charges vs Watson. That’s the difference.
Doesn’t mean he is innocent. Just means not enough evidence to convict which is typical in these scenarios. They could believe he did but still know they can’t win in court due to not having any physical evidence.
And now we have had the revelation that the state’s prosecuting attorney is chummy with Watson’s counsel and provided the grand jury with material from said counsel, which is not standard practice.
That the state failed in its responsibility to provide an unobstructed avenue for justice doesn’t make him less deserving of employer discipline.
Regardless – it is behavior the NFL should frown on and not let go. It’s not Watsons right to play in the NFL it is a privilege.
Exactly, the league will suspend based upon shame brought to the shield.
They should suspend him until the civil suits conclude. And reserve the option to extend the suspension based on how those suits turn out.
Once he gets suspended for this year, he’ll settle the civil suits and be done with it and move on to 2023. I’m not expecting much from the Browns this year, but when Watson gets this behind him, the Browns have a lot of talent
Mayfield is lovin’ this.
Not sure if the Brown’s fans are though
I wanted the Eagles to trade for Mayfield
Why?!? Hurts probably isn’t the answer, but to add Mayfield around Hurts and Minshew makes zero sense.
It could work, other trades could be made
I doubt it. It leaves him in limbo longer.
I don’t know, Mayfield needs to get out of Cleveland
Just because they haven’t suspended him yet, doesn’t mean they aren’t going to do so. The article clearly states that a decision is coming sometime in July now that tue NFLs investigation is almost complete. So let’s not get all riled up that there is some kind of double standard here. Wait it out
Would it be petty for the NFL to act like they will do nothing then after preseason to suspend him for a year with the right to add on? I would think they are not happy Cleveland traded for him then awarded him that contract. It would put them in a bind Baker should be gone and their bet crapped out.
The NFL could care less about how much Watson is getting paid. Owners and GM’s may have an issue but his suspension will have zero to do with his contract
The NFL needs to put this guy into the black book and move on. This is really becoming embarrassing for the league. Furthermore they need to sue him to recoup any and all salary he has made for bringing such incredible shame to the league. Simply put the guy is a predator and the NFL needs to slam dunk him.
The draft compensation the Browns gave up for him should be eliminated as well. The Texans should not be allowed to benefit at all from this guy. I am not suggesting the Browns get their picks back as they knew what he did I just think any and all compensation received should be simply taken off. The league needs to send a powerful message.
Not the Texans fault the Browns were dumb enough to take it. If we want to do things like that the league should reimburse the Texans for that Hopkins trade.
damn you are incredibly stupid lmao, who gives a crap if a guy is having consensual sex with multiple women
Did you read the most recent complaint, Alpha? That didn’t sound consensual at all.
Oh, another Browns fan…
If you’re in some form of an employer/employee relationship, that’s not consensual, that’s prostitution.
I don’t think the women should be arrested phenom
What the hell did the city of Cleveland do to deserve this piece of garbage?
uhh sent a buncha freakin draft picks like morons? they brought this on themselves and they will reap what they sow
The fans should revolt. Empty seats sends a message. If my giants had traded for him I would no longer support them in any way.
what do you think giving up tickets would accomplish lmao? I know for a fact if other Browns fans starting giving up tickets and the tickets started going for cheap, I would scoop as many games up as I could. Don’t think for a fact that the stadium isn’t going to be full lol
In your scenario the stands aren’t empty which does accomplish nothing. My point is that if the stands were empty it would send a message. It embarrasses the team on national tv cuz it will be talked about. Billionaires don’t like to be embarrassed and certainly the nfl doesn’t
Do you recall that the Redskins once had a years long waiting list for season tickets. How hard do you think it is now to score a Commanders ticket?
Giants too. I was put on the waiting list at birth. Everyone seems to missing my point. I didn’t sell your tickets or give them up. Just don’t show up. Giants fans did it last year at the end of the season and look at the changes there.
So you think fans are willing to give up thousands of dollars to embarrass a billionaire? Most fans don’t care about individual players, they care about winning. If Watson isn’t playing, they’ll support Brissett and the rest of the team
Giants fans did
When? I mean the Giants haven’t been good for 5-7 years so that has something to do with it.
Are you saying he didn’t assault women for long enough?
Browns fans showing what trash they are. Hey he only sexually assaulted 20+ women so far what’s the problem. Kick the Cleveland poop stains out of the nfl and let’s move on
Didn’t LT do something?
Hired a hooker that turned out to be underage and says he didn’t know. Not sure what that has to do with it. Nice try at a deflection though.
Did you leave the Giants after that? Underage is a lot worse than what Watson did
1. He wasn’t playing for the giants then 2. He said she lied about her age cooperated in the investigation & took his punishment. 3. That’s one accusation vs how many . . .
She was underage. That’s really bad. Of course he knew
I feel badly that for Browns fans, that in their lust for winning, ownership brought this guy in. A number of good QB’s available now who could have truly led this talented roster
Instead, you have possible suspensions (perhaps for protracted periods) and a lot of distractions on the table, and no doubt a lot of disenchanted fans
A number of good quarterbacks available? Garropolo is one
I feel really bad for all the cleveland fans out there, sorry your goin through this trash
I couldn’t care less what DW does if it’s consensual. No grand jury charges, just lawsuits. Go Browns
Except it wasn’t consensual according to the 24 women. The grand jury not bringing charges doesn’t magically make the acts consensual. Are you intentionally dense?
Your folks must be so proud.
Yeah, good call. The term “accusers” indicated it’s not consensual.
Also for the record, none of the guys on this list except Watson have been accused of sexual assault by 24 women: link to footballdb.com
It is more than 24 one dropped her suit another gave a statement but wouldn’t do anymore. You know why women have a hard time coming forward is because guys Alpodung ie brown whatever that idiots name was take the man’s side.
How freakin off is a guy when he starts slapping jimmy during a massage session. This guy needs help. Chemical castration or take him to one of the farms around Cleveland slip that rubber band around testies and no more Watson.
There’s just as many masseuse that says Watson was a respectful client. Don’t you believe them? One woman tried to blackmail him. That reminds me of the Rick Pitino thing. She ended up going to prison
Cleveland Browns lore. The Drive, The Fumble, and now introducing, The Watson Contract.
Watson appears to be a bad dude.
The Browns appear to be as inept as ever.
It’s amazing anyone continues to claim Watson is innocent of any wrongdoing. 66 different massage therapists in 17 months is totally normal…not. That is 100% someone hunting for new “prey”.
Totally normal is getting rubdowns from girls you found on social media, paid to come in from out of town to local hotels and then had sign NDAs provided by the team.
You just have to shake your head on how stupid Cleveland was in this whole mess.
What’s the best case defense for Watson?
That’s he the biggest loser with no game at all, despite his money, fame, etc. and he just has to pay for it?
All Time Loser is his BEST case scenario?
And devolves into sociopath or serial predator from there? Jack the Ripper without the knife.
$230 million. FULLY. GUARANTEED.
And according to ESPN, there were 13-14 other teams that expressed interest in him. Sheesh.
I wonder how many of these accusers, especially the new ones, signed the NDA’S provided by the TEXANS…. asking a lite extra from a massage is nor.al in some circles. The problems/issues here are..
1. Were any actions actually not consented to?
2. 2 grand juries found no criminal activity so could these just be a shakedown?
3. If NDAS were signed by any of the accusers, what was the penalty for violating?
4. The TEXANS allegedly provided the NDAs initially, if that’s the case, could/should they be liable as well. By Offering NDAs one could argue that the team knew of the behavior or at least the possibility.
Watson could indeed be suspended. As a Browns fan I get that. The line of assault vs consensual acts is blurred in this matter tho, especially with many of the women refusing to file criminal charges and only ding civil.
I dunno. I tend to see it the other way. Extremely difficult to prove sexual assault or rape, especially after a period of time. I could almost see this as some sort of money grab if it was a few women, but 23 or 24, with news today that there were dozens more he was in contact with?
The Browns weren’t alone in this pursuit, to be sure, but if this goes bad, they deserve a great deal of scorn.
And meanwhile, the NFL has been sitting on this case for a year
They should sit on it, why hurry? They took the word of the Ravens and hurried with Ray Rice and look how that turned out.
Will your logic is flawed. The GJ didn’t say there was no illegal activity 4 of the 12 Jurors said they didn’t think there was enough. Far cry from none. Also the GJ was in Texas even though no names were given it wouldn’t take a Rocket Scientist to figure out who it was. You think it possible 4 guys were Texas fans?
If a guy is next to you and puts his penis in your hand from under the towel is that consensual? If he takes his towel off and masturbates in front of you is that consensual? If he begs you to put his penis in your mouth is that consensual or just married life?
If you’re a Texans fan, you should hate Watson because he demanded a trade and said he’d no longer play for them. And you think the fans would cut him a break? Wow
And if you’re a Browns fan you’re upset at clowns like this one above responding to everything and giving them all a bad name. The true Browns fans deserve a better organization and also don’t deserve to be judged by this nauseating homer.
You mad bro?
Latest news…until 8 hours later when we have another update on his status…tune in
How’s that lightbulb coming?
The one in your mouth Uncle Fester? I must congratulate you on being the best at what you do, you’ve quickly become the biggest clown in all of the comments section.
I don’t know about that. I’ve been reading this site for a long time and you’re part of the circus.
144 game suspension is due. Ben got 6 games for 1 allegation.
And by then the Steelers still won’t have a quarterback
And the Browns still won’t have any titles…
Funny to see “Happy Endings” become a legal matter. Interesting how Robert Kraft’s issues went away while Watson’s issues are headline news. Gee, I wonder why? Hmmmm
Slight difference. Kraft went to a whorehouse that was run out of a massage parlor for exactly what he wanted and what they provided. Watson sought out legitimate professional masseuses to try and get a rub and tug from and that’s not what they do.
Can’t they just refuse him as a client and be finished with him? What he did is morally reprehensible but I don’t know if the level of coverage and demonization is warranted. One lady is claiming she had to quit being a masseuse because of it. Doesn’t that sound like someone going for a cash grab. Honestly I’m tired of hearing about it. He made unwanted advances many times with different people. Ban him from the massage locations and be done with it. So tired of hearing so many people being devastated by things that are wrong. If there wasn’t litigious money to be made we wouldn’t hear about this stuff. I miss those days.
Let me know when prostitution and sex trafficking became legal. I can’t believe you just absolved Kraft because he paid for an illegal immigrant to sexually satisfy him. I’m sure the girl that did Kraft really wanted to.
Absolved? Have an adult read it and explain to you. Nobody absolved Kraft for anything, just explaining the difference in behaviors and expectations.
He also wants accused of sexual assaulting women. If you can’t see the difference then you simply don’t want to
Slight difference then? So since NOTHING happened to Kraft from the NFL, I guess you believe that Watson should get a slight suspension? I agree
You really do have comprehension issues.
31.1% of the cap is consumed by 2 quarterbacks that probably won’t play for the Browns this year.
Outstanding. It’s gotta be tough being a Browns fan.