HOUSTON – The Houston Texans released a statement Thursday confirming that the NFL will be conducting an investigation into the allegations made against Texans star Deshaun Watson.
Statement from the Houston Texans:
“The NFL informed us today that they will conduct an investigation into the allegations made in the civil lawsuits filed against Deshaun Watson. We will stay in close contact with the league as they do.
We continue to take this and all matters involving anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously. We do not anticipate making any additional statements until the NFL’s investigation concludes.”
The statement came hours after attorney Tony Buzbee’s law firm said that it had been hired by nine women to bring cases against Watson.
A posting on social media reads, in part, “The allegations are similar. We have filed three, and, as we complete our due diligence, will file the remaining ones in due course. We are talking to several others. Cornelia and I appreciate the kind words, and outpouring of support for these brave women who are (willing) to come forward and be heard. No matter what you do in life, there will always be detractors. As my dad always said: “If you are right, go ahead!” And so we go.”
The Buzbee Law Firm has now been hired by nine women to bring cases against Deshaun Watson. The allegations are similar....
Posted by Tony Buzbee on Thursday, March 18, 2021
On Thursday night, Buzbee released screen shots of messages allegedly exchanged between Watson and at least one of the women involved in the lawsuits.
In one exchange posted by Buzbee, Watson appears to ask one woman what type of massages she performs. He also asked the woman if she was comfortable massaging his backside area, according to the messages posted by Buzbee.
In another message exchange, Watson allegedly apologizes to a woman saying, “Sorry about you feeling uncomfortable. Never were the intentions.”
In the latest lawsuit filed by Buzbee’s law office, a woman claims during a massage in December 2020, Watson forced her to perform oral sex on him.
Watson is the subject of two other lawsuits involving other massage professionals. This suit alleges a sexual assault happened on Dec. 28, 2020.
“Just the notion that you are being accused of conduct that constitutes felonious assault in Texas is a pretty darn big deal,” said KPRC 2 Legal Analyst Brian Wice
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The lawsuit contends Watson enlisted the licensed mobile massage therapist’s services through the app and, during the massage, aggressively forced her to touch his private areas and eventually perform oral sex on him.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, is from Oregon. Language in the lawsuit indicate she was “afraid of what someone like Watson could do if she did not submit to his demands.”
The lawsuit also claims the woman blacked out for a few minutes due to fear and that she felt helpless in the moment and was “under Watson’s control.”
The lawsuit alleges sexual assault, assault, indecent assault and harassment.
A spokesperson for the the Houston Police Department would not say if they are investigating Watson as it is their policy not to do so unless they file charges against someone.
“Right now, the silence is deafening. Why is it that there has been no report, that there has been no outcry to law enforcement,” said Wice. “What we have seen in these three petitions are allegations, assertions, claims.
Watson has not issued a statement since a social media comment immediately after the first allegation came to light in which he stated “I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect.”
Read the full lawsuit below.