Details into the sexual assault accusations against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson were released on Wednesday, as a massage therapist in Houston has filed a civil lawsuit against the NFL superstar for inappropriate behavior during a massage session between Watson and the woman at her home.
In the lawsuit that was filed by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee on Tuesday night, the woman referred to only as 'Jane Doe' details the entire incident and how she came into contact with Watson.
Allegedly Watson had direct messaged the woman on Instagram on March 28, 2020, inquiring about wanting a massage. The woman says she routinely provides professional massages at her home but had never worked with any Texans players before.
The woman said she ‘found it somewhat peculiar’ that Watson had randomly reached out to her, considering she was a largely anonymous masseuse, and Watson was obviously an NFL player with easy access to multiple trainers at his disposal.
The woman says she agreed because she was trying to grow her small business.
She says Watson DM’ed her saying that he didn’t want the 'typical sports massage', but rather a massage for ‘relaxation’, even though the woman says her specific marketing had made it clear that she specialized in sports massages.
After exchanging phone numbers, they agreed to meet on March 30, 2020. The woman says she became hesitant when Watson texted her wondering if she was going to be alone at her house that day, but she assumed that Watson wanted privacy and didn’t want to be bothered by ‘those impressed by his stature.’
She says at one point she walked into the room moments before the session and Watson had completely undressed himself, wearing nothing but a small towel covering his grown area. Watson then allegedly began to ‘aggressively dictate to the woman how he wanted the massage to be performed, including making sure that she only uses her hands, and not her elbows or knuckles.
The woman says Watson repeatedly asked her to focus on his ‘groin area.’
She says she quickly became extremely uncomfortable with the situation roughly a half-hour into the massage and realized that Watson 'only wanted sex.' She says she didn’t want to confront Watson because she ‘feared for her safety', and didn’t want him to retaliate against her or her business.
Allegedly Watson kept directing her to work on his groin area, and at one point exposed the tip of his erect penis under his towel, and tried to position his body to expose himself more. She says Watson then purposely touched her hand with the tip of his erect penis.
The woman says she was ‘shocked’ and ‘mortified’ and immediately ended the massage, spurring Watson to say ‘I know you have a career and a reputation and I know you would hate for someone to mess with yours, just like I don’t want anyone messing with mine.’ She says she took it as a direct threat made by Watson.
She says Watson later reached out to apologize, and she says she later got DM’s from two other NFL players saying ’BIG D’ had recommended her for a massage, leading her to believe that ‘Big D’ was Watson himself.
Watson immediately took to social media when the allegations had first gone viral on Twitter, firmly denying the events, and taking a shot at the plaintiff’s lawyer:
“As a result of a social media post by a publicity-seeking plaintiff’s lawyer, I recent became aware of a lawsuit that has apparently been filed against me. I have not yet seen the complaint, but I know this: I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect. The plaintiff’s lawyer claims that this isn’t about money, but before filing suit he made a baseless six-figure settlement demand, which I quickly rejected. Unlike him, this isn’t about money for me – it’s about clearing my name, and I look forward to doing that.”
The attorney Watson was referring to was the aforementioned Buzbee, who had taken to Facebook earlier with this message:
“I am extremely proud to represent those who have no perceived power against those who have PERCEIVED power. Things are changing in this country, in this great state, and in this great city. And I feel like it’s for the better, for all of us! Today, we filed suit against Deshaun Watson. Too many times women have put up with behavior that we all know no one should put up with. Should we make excuses for the famous? Or those who hold special positions, or quarterbacks on a local professional football team? I don’t think so! All people are equal, and all deserve dignity and respect. My dad was a butcher. My mother drove my school bus and worked in the snack bar. Knowing what I know now: My momma had more dignity in her pinky finger than most executives or coaches or politicians or famous athletes have in their whole bodies! This case we just filed against Watson isn’t about money – it’s about dignity and stopping behavior that should be stopped, NOW! Stay tuned for details.”
Watson is currently trying to force a trade off the Texans and was one of the biggest storylines of the NFL off-season up until these allegations.
No comment from the NFL has been made public yet.
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