BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Deshaun Watson broke his silence Tuesday, but his message remained the same as the one he delivered in March.
He is not the person that he has been portrayed in a mountain of lawsuits and allegations that have been levied against him.
“I’ve been honest, and I’ve been truthful about my stance,” Watson said. “I never forced anyone. I never assaulted anyone. I’ve been saying it from the beginning and I’m going to continue to do that until all the facts come out on the legal side. I have to continue to just go with the process from my legal team and the court of law.”
So far 24 women have filed lawsuits against Watson in civil court alleging sexual misconduct by him during therapeutic massage appointments.
Last week, the Houston Texans were added as defendants in the cases by the plaintiff’s attorney Tony Buzbee.
Two more lawsuits, bringing the total to 26, are expected to be filed in the near future according to Buzbee and the possibility exists more could be filed against Watson and the Texans.
“I never assaulted anyone. I never harassed anyone. I never disrespected anyone. I never forced anyone to do anything,” Watson said.
Watson was asked if he is innocent of the allegations, which have severely damaged his reputation and standing, why not countersue for defamation?
“These allegations [are] very serious and you have to respect that,” Watson said. “It impacts so many people – not just me and my family and this organization but people that are outside in the community, this fanbase, people from the Houston fanbase, anyone that was a fan of mine. But, as far as [countersuing], I haven’t gotten into any of that.
“My biggest thing is wanting to clear my name so I can get back to being in the environment that I’m most comfortable in and that’s being in the community and helping people, being that role model and leader, and also being on the football field with my teammates and try to win ballgames.”
The New York Times recently published a story alleging that Watson sought massages from at least 66 known women over a 17-month span.
In that report, The Times published a portion of a deposition from Watson in which he admitted that the experience level of the therapists was not a consideration for him in seeking treatment.
“I just want to clear my name and be able to let the facts and the legal procedures continue to play out,” Watson said. “Right now, that is all I am doing is wanting to clear my name and be able to let all of the facts come out in the court of law and be able to focus on that.”
Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson in March paving the way for at least a dozen teams to recruit and compete to acquire the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Ultimately the Browns won the bidding war with six draft picks and a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
The NFL has been investigating Watson’s alleged conduct that took place in Houston prior to the Browns acquiring him from the Texans and the league is deciding whether or not to discipline him for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
“I can’t control that,” Watson said. “I met with the NFL a couple of weeks ago. I did everything they asked me to do. I answered every question truthfully that the NFL asked me. I spent hours with the people they brought down [to Houston] and that’s all I can do, is be honest and tell them exactly what happened. I know they have a job and I have to respect that and that’s what we wanted to do was cooperate and they have to make a decision best for the league.”
Watson acknowledged the harm the allegations have done to those around him, including the Browns.
“I do understand that I do have regrets as far as the impact this has on the community and people outside of just myself,” Watson said. “And that includes my family. That includes this organization. That includes my teammates in this locker room that have to answer to these questions. That includes the fanbase of the Cleveland Browns. That includes males, females, everyone across the world.
“That’s one thing I do regret is the impact this has triggered on so many people and it’s tough to have to deal with.”
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