The NFL is opening an investigation into the allegations of sexual assault against Deshaun Watson, quarterback Houston Texans.
Tony Buzbee, the well-known Texas lawyer who has filed three lawsuits on behalf of Jane Does and says nine women hired him to file lawsuits against Watson, posted a letter called “confidential” on Instagram posted by Lisa Friel was sent to him. , the NFL’s special investigation board. Buzbee later deleted the message. The Texans confirmed in a statement that the league is reviewing the allegations under its personal conduct policy.
“I am writing to let you know that the league has begun an investigation into these allegations and to seek the cooperation of your clients in our investigation,” Friel wrote Thursday in the letter that Buzbee posted. ‘Such collaboration would start with taking Zoom interviews with myself and another investigator of the league you would naturally be on. Please let me know as soon as possible if your customers are willing to help us investigate their allegations. ”
Buzbee said on Instagram on Thursday that the allegations of all nine women were “similar.” The first three lawsuits in Harris County, Texas, claim that Watson sexually assaulted massage therapists. The first two claim the quarterback assaulted the women “by touching her with his penis.” The two incidents allegedly took place in March and August 2020 respectively.
The third case alleges Watson forced another massage therapist on December 28, 2020, to ‘have oral sex’. According to the case, Watson ‘aggressively’ dictated where the woman should touch him during a massage. He repeatedly told her to work on his ‘inner thighs’ and ‘inner gluten’.
While the massage therapist became uncomfortable, Watson “repeatedly made it clear that he was a professional soccer player who could help or hurt her career,” the lawsuit reads. Later, Watson allegedly became “more aggressive” and told the woman to “move her hand over his genitals”, according to the case. Then Watson alleges that the plaintiff forced her mouth to move to his penis and the plaintiff forced her to perform oral sex on him. ‘
Watson, 25, has denied the initial accusation in public, but has not made any statements since. The three-time Pro Bowler is currently at odds with the Texans and has requested a trade.
“We continue to take this and all matters involving anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously,” the team said.