Two remaining civil lawsuits accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct have been officially dismissed, court documents show. These final dismissals conclude the legal proceedings that followed allegations made as early as 2021 in Houston and various Texas courts concerning Watson’s conduct during massage sessions.
Watson, who now plays for the Cleveland Browns, faced accusations from nearly 30 women alleging unwanted sexual behavior, including exposure, inappropriate touching, and coercion. The recent dismissal removes all civil legal claims related to these accusations, which had shadowed Watson’s career since his time with the Houston Texans.
Details on Lawsuits Dismissed and Background of Allegations
Among the two dismissed lawsuits, one was resolved through a confidential settlement, as confirmed by attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the woman who claimed Watson repeatedly touched her inappropriately during a massage appointment. Buzbee declined to provide further details due to the terms of the settlement.
The other case, filed by a woman claiming Watson pressured her to perform oral sex during a massage, was also dismissed. Anissah Nguyen, the attorney for this claimant, has not commented on the dismissal or potential settlement. Both cases were scheduled for trials in the coming weeks before their abrupt resolutions.
Watson and his lawyers have consistently denied all allegations, with attorney Rusty Hardin stating earlier that the accusations were “meritless.” Two Texas grand juries previously chose not to indict Watson, compounding his defense.
Related Legal Actions Involving the Houston Texans
One of the women who accused Watson also sued the Houston Texans, alleging the team facilitated or ignored assaults involving their former star quarterback. That lawsuit was dismissed last week, with no official response from Texans representatives at this time.
Additionally, in July 2022, the Houston Texans reached settlements with 30 women who charged the organization with negligence regarding the handling of Watson’s alleged behavior. These settlements followed extensive legal scrutiny of the team’s role during Watson’s tenure.
Impact on Watson’s Career and League Discipline
Watson’s difficulties began when multiple women raised allegations of sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2020, primarily linked to massage appointments. Most claims were settled in 2022, but the ongoing legal battles and public scrutiny affected his professional standing significantly.
Following the investigations, the NFL imposed an 11-game suspension on Watson for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, also issuing a $5 million fine and requiring Watson to complete an independent evaluation. His participation with the Browns has been limited to 19 games since joining in March 2022, partly due to suspensions and injuries.
Repercussions and What Lies Ahead
The dismissal of the last pending lawsuits removes significant legal obstacles for Deshaun Watson but does not erase the controversy surrounding the accusations. How this closure will influence both Watson’s career trajectory and public perception remains closely observed by fans, teammates, and league officials alike.
With all civil cases now resolved, attention may shift toward Watson’s future performance and conduct within the NFL’s ongoing framework for player behavior, highlighting the continuing importance of accountability in professional sports.
