The NFL is opening an investigation into the sexual assault charges against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Tony Buzbee, the famous Texas lawyer who has already filed three lawsuits on behalf of Jane Does and says that nine women hired him to make cases against Watson, posted on Instagram a letter labeled “confidential”, sent to him by Lisa Friel, the special NFL attorney for investigations. Buzbee later deleted the post. Texans confirmed in a statement that the league is reviewing the allegations in accordance with its policy of personal conduct.
“I am writing to inform you that the League has opened an investigation into these allegations and to request the cooperation of its customers in our investigation,” Friel wrote on Thursday in the letter posted by Buzbee. “This cooperation would start with Zoom interviews with me and another League investigator, in which, of course, you would be present. Please let me know as soon as possible if your customers are willing to help us with our investigation of your allegations. “
Buzbee said on Instagram on Thursday that the allegations of all nine women are “similar”. The first three lawsuits filed in Harris County, Texas, claim that Watson sexually abused massage therapists. The first two claim that the quarterback assaulted the women “by touching her with his penis”. These two incidents would have occurred in March and August 2020, respectively, according to the lawsuits.
The third lawsuit alleges that Watson forced another massage therapist “to have oral sex” on December 28, 2020. Watson, according to the lawsuit, “aggressively” dictated where the woman should touch him during a massage. He told her repeatedly to work on her “inner thighs” and “inner buttocks”.
As the massage therapist became uncomfortable, Watson “made it clear, repeatedly, that he was a professional football player, who could help or hinder his career,” says the suit. Later, Watson reportedly “got more aggressive” and told the woman to “slide his hand over his genitals”, according to the lawsuit. Then, the lawsuit alleges, Watson “coerced the Claimant to move his mouth towards the penis, forcing the Claimant to practice oral sex with him”.
Watson, 25, has publicly denied the initial charge, but has not made a statement since. The three-time Pro Bowler is currently at odds with the Texans and has requested an exchange.
“We continue to take this and all matters that involve anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously,” said the team.