Quinn Harris / USA TODAY Sports
Deshaun Watson faces three civil suits and three more could be filed in the next few days. After announcing the first lawsuit on Tuesday, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee posted on social media about a second lawsuit on Wednesday and later that night, Buzbee announced in a post that a third lawsuit – this “the most egregious one” “so far – it had been opened too.
The first two cases allege inappropriate conduct during massages on two different occasions by two different individuals, the first being a licensed massage therapist and the other being a massage therapist with the aim of being a licensed massage therapist one day.
The second lawsuit says, “Watson’s behavior is part of a disturbing pattern of preying on vulnerable women.”
Buzbee declined to go into details about the third lawsuit, but dealt with any perceptions that the lawsuits had something to do with gaining notoriety or financial gain.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time. I don’t need ‘fame’ …” wrote Buzbee. “I am not pursuing these cases for money, and all women who have filed lawsuits so far have only pleaded the minimum amount to invoke the court’s jurisdiction ($ 500). This is not money !!”
In the second case, Watson allegedly booked the massage through Instagram and flew with the masseuse from Atlanta to Houston in August 2020. Before arriving, they discussed what he was looking for and reportedly asked her to focus specifically on her “buttocks. and in her groin area and asked if she was comfortable working in those areas. ”
The lawsuit states that she arrived at the hotel where the massage would take place, but when she went to her room, the Texan quarterback was naked and reportedly refused to cover herself with a towel despite several requests, stating that “she also gets hot easily . “
The lawsuit says Watson allegedly asked the woman to focus on “the inside of her anus” and her “genitals”.
When the Texan quarterback turned his back, the woman handed him a towel to cover, which he declined. Shortly afterwards, she felt uncomfortable and ended the massage, asking to leave.
“Watson grabbed her hand and started rubbing her arm, pulling her towards him, saying ‘It’s okay, it’s okay.’ Claimant has left, ”according to the lawsuit.
The suit also claims that the masseuse received only half of her payment, but was “so upset” that she did not ask for the second half.
The first lawsuit was filed on Tuesday and appeared on the Harris County District Secretary’s website on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred in March 2020, and the lawsuit says it was “apparent that Watson wanted the massage for just one reason – sex”.
“While she was trying to figure out how to get rid of the situation, Watson continued to aggressively try to direct the conversation to how the Claimant was not rubbing it the way he wanted to. Several times he specifically kept trying to direct it towards his penis,” says the process. “At one point, he purposely exposed the tip of his penis under the towel.”
The lawsuit states that the quarterback was “fully erect” and “moved his body to expose himself more”. He also claims that Watson “intentionally touched the Claimant’s hand” with the tip of his penis.
The Claimant, listed as “Jane Doe” in the case, quickly closed the session and, according to the lawsuit, Watson told her: “I know that you have a career and reputation, and I know that you would hate for someone to mess with the yours, just like I don’t want anyone messing with mine. “
Buzbee, who represents the Claimants in both cases, said on social media that four lawsuits against Watson, but only two have been opened so far.
ESPN said the Texans issued a statement on Wednesday.
“We learned of a civil lawsuit involving Deshaun Watson through a social media post last night,” said the team’s statement. “This is the first time we have heard about the matter and we hope to find out more soon. We take allegations of this nature that involve anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously. We will wait for more information before making any further statements about this incident.”
Watson responded to Buzbee’s claims on social media late on Tuesday, denying the charges. Watson said on Tuesday that he had not yet seen the complaint.