Both the Cleveland Browns and the NFL broke their silence Tuesday regarding a sexual assault allegation levied against Deshaun Watson on Monday. Watson, the embattled Browns quarterback, was sued in civil court Monday by a plaintiff alleging that the third-year Cleveland signal-caller sexually assaulted her on a date in October 2020 when Watson was still with the Houston Texans. The Browns and the NFL both issued brief statements regarding the matter.
The NFL statement read:
“We are reviewing the complaint, and we will look into the matter under the personal conduct policy.”
The Browns’ statement was equally succinct, reading:
“We will respect the due process our legal system affords regarding the recently filed civil suit and follow the NFL’s guidelines on this matter.”
The NFL Players Association has yet to comment on the matter officially.
Cleveland Browns QB Facing Sexual Assault Allegations
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News of the lawsuit broke on Monday, one day after the Cleveland Browns were pounded by the visiting Dallas Cowboys in their season opener at Huntington Bank Field.
A woman identified as “Jane Doe” to protect her anonymity claimed that Watson sexually assaulted her in her apartment before a dinner date in October 2020. He first became enraged over the phone when he could not find the woman’s apartment, and then after he arrived at the woman’s apartment.
“Jane Doe” alleges that Watson forced brief sexual relations with her before she was able to break free and attempted to protect herself using a heavy object. At that time, the lawsuit claims, Watson became frustrated and “stormed out” of the apartment.
Watson Faced More than 20 Sexual Misconduct Allegations Before Joining Cleveland Browns
Many in the NFL community decried the Cleveland Browns’ decision to acquire Watson in March 2022 from the Texans for a package that included three first-round draft picks and then signing him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, given the sexual misconduct allegations being levied against him at the time.
More than 20 women alleged misconduct by Watson during massage therapy sessions. Confidential settlements were reached with 23 of 24 women in 2022, but the quarterback avoided criminal charges when two Texas grand juries declined to indict him on complaints filed by 10 women.
Cleveland Browns Preparing for Possibility of Another Watson Suspension
After joining the Cleveland Browns, the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games and fined him $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Watson was also required by the league to submit to mandatory evaluation and treatment as part of his reinstatement.
Thus far, the NFL has no plans to place Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list due to the new allegation, citing that he is not facing a criminal charge. The exempt list would see Watson still be paid by the Cleveland Browns but unable to take the field for an indeterminate amount of time.
However, according to Cleveland.com, the NFL is reviewing the lawsuit, and Watson could again face sanctions under the league’s personal conduct policy. Another suspension could lead to the team voiding Watson’s contract and severing the relationship with their current starting quarterback.
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