Browns QB Deshaun Watson facing new sexual misconduct lawsuit amid 11-game suspension
Content warning: This post contains depictions of alleged sexual misconduct.
Another massage therapist has filed a lawsuit against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The woman, known as Jane Doe in the new civil lawsuit, alleged that Watson pressured her into performing oral sex on him during a therapy session in Dec. 2020. The woman is being represented by a separate attorney than the one who represented the two dozen other women who made sexual assault and misconduct accusations against Watson.
The woman said in her lawsuit that Watson first reached out to set up an appointment over Instagram in 2020, and that he then tried to have sex with her during that appointment. When she refused, the woman said she was then instead pressured into performing oral sex. Watson then allegedly paid her more than double her hourly rate.
The woman is seeking "minimal compensatory damages" in the lawsuit, which was filed in Harris County, Texas.
Deshaun Watson already serving 11-game suspension
Watson is currently serving an 11-game suspension and had to pay a $5 million fine after 24 women sued him for both sexual assault and sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions in recent years. Watson was accused of unwanted touching of genitals, forcing a woman to touch his genitals and perform oral sex.
Watson reached settlement agreements with 23 of the 24 women. Two Texas grand juries declined to indict him on criminal charges earlier this year. Watson has maintained his innocence, and said repeatedly that he never assaulted anyone.
Watson sat out the entire 2021 season with the Houston Texans after his trade request before allegations started surfacing. He was then traded to the Browns this past summer, where he signed the richest guaranteed contract in NFL history.
Watson was cleared to return to the Browns' facility earlier this week, though his participation with the team is still limited. He is eligible to return to play Dec. 4 against the Texans.
The Browns have turned to backup Jacoby Brissett in his absence. They are 2-3 headed into Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.