A bombshell New York Times report alleges that Deshaun Watson “engaged in more questionable behavior than previously known.”
After a year out of the league, Deshaun Watson is pressing to move forward with his NFL career on a new team.
Although two grand juries declined to indict Deshaun Watson on criminal charges this spring and the Cleveland Browns signed him to a record-breaking $230 million guaranteed contract, the sexual assault allegations that Watson and his team have endeavored to dispel are still making headlines. According to Jenny Vrentas of the New York Times, there is new information about the Deshaun Watson situation that indicates Watson “engaged in more questionable behavior than previously known.”
Vrentas examined records “including depositions and evidence for the civil lawsuits as well as interviews of the some of the women” and discovered a disturbing truth: “Watson’s conduct was enabled, knowingly or not, by the team he played for at the time, the Houston Texans, which provided the venue Watson used for some of the appointments.”
“A team representative also furnished him with a nondisclosure agreement after a woman who is now suing him threatened online to expose his behavior,” Vrentas continued.
An NFL spokesman told NYT that the “Watson matter is under review.”
New York Times report reveals disturbing details on Deshaun Watson allegations
The Times also found that contrary to popular belief, Watson did not just employ 40 different massage therapists in his five seasons with the Texas — he booked appointments with “at least 66 difference women” in a span on 17 months.
In Vrentas’ reporting, a few of these additional women spoke publicly for the first time. This is compounded by the revelation that a 23rd and 24th woman came forward to file civil suits against Watson.
Currently, Watson is traveling between practices in Cleveland and Houston, where Watson “met with NFL investigators and is giving depositions in the lawsuits,” according to Vrentas.
“The civil cases, if not settled, will be tried after the football season,” Vrentas added.
While many throughout the league are criticizing the NFL for not offering more information about disciplinary action, the New York Times report introducing more accounts, coupled with the two new civil cases filed against him, could mean that Deshaun Watson will be sidelined for longer than expected.
