Sexual assault lawsuit filed against QB DeShaun Watson

DourDoerr

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DourDoerr

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I don't think it's clear at all how this will shake out. Even if Watson does jail time, but shows contrition and engages on the issue, then I could see him coming back. Without jail time, I'd guess he will play again for a franchise willing to take its lumps in exchange for a franchise QB. The NFL is big business and male-dominated. Those elements can look past a pile of awful things and the hypocrisy knows no bounds (ironic in a sport obsessed with boundary lines on the field).
 

nighthob

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Public opinion has clearly swayed the NFL on this in the past. As far as I know they ban guys with sexual assault/domestic violence issues from the draft combine. I know it's not a huge step. But it does represent a smidgeon of progress. In this instance I'm guessing that Watson ends up on the exempt list followed by a long suspension if/when the guilty verdict(s) come in.
 

coremiller

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I don't think it's clear at all how this will shake out. Even if Watson does jail time, but shows contrition and engages on the issue, then I could see him coming back. Without jail time, I'd guess he will play again for a franchise willing to take its lumps in exchange for a franchise QB. The NFL is big business and male-dominated. Those elements can look past a pile of awful things and the hypocrisy knows no bounds (ironic in a sport obsessed with boundary lines on the field).
It's not like he did something truly unforgivable that would get him permanently blackballed. Such as, say, kneeling during the national anthem.
 

JM3

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Guys, no rape or assault jokes please. Welcome aboard, though!
I didn't really mean that as a joke as much as a sarcastic statement about how messed up Watson's priorities/actions seem to be, but agree it's not really an area for levity & apologize.
 

AlNipper49

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Public opinion has clearly swayed the NFL on this in the past. As far as I know they ban guys with sexual assault/domestic violence issues from the draft combine. I know it's not a huge step. But it does represent a smidgeon of progress. In this instance I'm guessing that Watson ends up on the exempt list followed by a long suspension if/when the guilty verdict(s) come in.
their business models includes (included?) literally killing their players with CTE. They can go fuck themselves. And ESPN feigning outrage on this while applying the rapist Kobe for Sainthood...they can go fuck themselves too. Morals are not fungible, or they’re not morals.
 

DourDoerr

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Public opinion has clearly swayed the NFL on this in the past. As far as I know they ban guys with sexual assault/domestic violence issues from the draft combine. I know it's not a huge step. But it does represent a smidgeon of progress. In this instance I'm guessing that Watson ends up on the exempt list followed by a long suspension if/when the guilty verdict(s) come in.
As we've seen in the past, a lot of public opinion can hinge on video evidence. Does Ray Rice get cut without that video shown over and over again? Is he cut if the story is just a couple of lines in the sports section linking Rice to "assault?" AFAIK there is no video of Watson's assaults - thankfully for the victims - although it's one less tool to sway public opinion. Without video, lots of people are content with he said, she said. Although it has to be mentioned that 12 he said's, she said's cloud the situation. We'll be learning a lot on how we've progressed through this case. For the victims' sake, I hope they get the best possible outcome.
 

Norm Siebern

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their business models includes (included?) literally killing their players with CTE. They can go fuck themselves. And ESPN feigning outrage on this while applying the rapist Kobe for Sainthood...they can go fuck themselves too. Morals are not fungible, or they’re not morals.
Post of the fucking year.
 

dirtynine

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As we've seen in the past, a lot of public opinion can hinge on video evidence. Does Ray Rice get cut without that video shown over and over again? Is he cut if the story is just a couple of lines in the sports section linking Rice to "assault?" AFAIK there is no video of Watson's assaults - thankfully for the victims - although it's one less tool to sway public opinion. Without video, lots of people are content with he said, she said. Although it has to be mentioned that 12 he said's, she said's cloud the situation. We'll be learning a lot on how we've progressed through this case. For the victims' sake, I hope they get the best possible outcome.
I think the reported details, which are really visceral (details about body parts, specific behavior, etc), are not that different than a video. You can paint a picture very easily.
 

scott bankheadcase

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I think the reported details, which are really visceral (details about body parts, specific behavior, etc), are not that different than a video. You can paint a picture very easily.
It's tougher to make people read than to show that Ray Rice video on a loop though.

I agree if you can actually get people do go down the rabbit hole it's viceral. It's just much harder to get that in front of them.
 

EvilEmpire

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The story is still in the early stages. There could be some law enforcement actions taken. There could be a lot of courtroom time. All these things will generate media attention and get reported on as they develop. Investigative reporters are probably deep into it now too, so there could be even more things that come out of this.

Singular events, even terrible ones, are probably easier to manage from a damage control/media perspective. This is not that.
 

Phil Plantier

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So it was a little over 3 months ago that Belichick declined the Medal of (Freedom? Excellence? I honestly don't remember), and there was a noticeable part of the Patriots fanbase that made their voices heard. The effect of trading for Watson would be much much larger, even in a conservative area. So it would have to be an owner (this is definitely an owner-level decision) who:

1. Isn't liberal, for some values of liberal
2. DGAF about alienating at least 20-25% of the fan base
3. Doesn't have a solution already (so the Cowboys are out)
4. Doesn't have a new stadium they want to build
5. Doesn't care about people disliking him/her
6. Doesn't want to sell the franchise in the near future

Raiders?
 

nattysez

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So it was a little over 3 months ago that Belichick declined the Medal of (Freedom? Excellence? I honestly don't remember), and there was a noticeable part of the Patriots fanbase that made their voices heard. The effect of trading for Watson would be much much larger, even in a conservative area. So it would have to be an owner (this is definitely an owner-level decision) who:

1. Isn't liberal, for some values of liberal
2. DGAF about alienating at least 20-25% of the fan base
3. Doesn't have a solution already (so the Cowboys are out)
4. Doesn't have a new stadium they want to build
5. Doesn't care about people disliking him/her
6. Doesn't want to sell the franchise in the near future

Raiders?
7. Doesn't have an owner who was caught at a rub-and-tug joint a few years ago.

Training camps start in July, so I suspect the NFL will do nothing until then. At that point, Watson likely will be moved to the Commissioner's Exempt List for an unspecificied amount of time. Then the question will be whether Easterby suspends Watson for "conduct detrimental" so the Texans don't have to pay him. They may even consider voiding his deal for "conduct detrimental," though that would kick off a big fight with the NFLPA.
 

Jeff Van GULLY

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Anyone who thinks Deshaun Watson is playing this season is crazy.

I think the only way he ever plays in the NFL again is if he is fully exonerated, which seems unlikely at this point. This is trending closer to Darren Sharper than anything else.


https://sports.yahoo.com/the-lawsuit-that-is-most-problematic-for-deshaun-watson-014827728.html

Amid the pile of lawsuits though, one that was filed late Tuesday afternoon in Harris County, Texas, could prove to be the most problematic for Watson.

It includes a potential criminal act, possible physical evidence and multiple counts of contemporaneous reporting that experts say is critical in these kinds of situations. It also mirrors many of the other allegations and potentially bolsters them due to the date of the act and the woman's real-time reporting.
 

DannyDarwinism

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djbayko

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The fact that the last accusation came after the story broke publicly is, to me, the most damning part. That level of sociopathy is rare.
I thought that it came after the lawyer first contacted Watson, not after the story became public. Not that it changes too much.
 

nighthob

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I thought that it came after the lawyer first contacted Watson, not after the story became public. Not that it changes too much.
You may be right about that. But yeah, it doesn't make anything better. He gets a call from his agent with the "Hey, DeShaun, a local attorney just contacted me about a filing some sexual assault cases looking to settle claims. What the fuck?" and he's still booking future victims and telling his attorney that he wants to fight.
 

DannyDarwinism

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The fact that the last accusation came after the story broke publicly is, to me, the most damning part. That level of sociopathy is rare.
Most damning part is the entire Yahoo story. The woman's story is entirely consistent with the many, many other womens' (except she was a PT, not even a masseuse), and she immediately (contemporaneously) told her mother and her best friend. Like a bunch of the other women, he texted her to apologize, she doesn't respond or engage, and he continues to text her with no response, for weeks. Unless there's some absolutely batshit conspiracy (there isn't), her whole story is entirely credible. The man is a compulsive predator.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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The fact that the last accusation came after the story broke publicly is, to me, the most damning part. That level of sociopathy is rare.
I thought that it came after the lawyer first contacted Watson, not after the story became public. Not that it changes too much.
Right. It happened in May 2020. Not after the other stories become public.

The reason this is a golden bullet is because it mirrors the other 15 stories, but she told her friend and her mother the details BEFORE these stories came out. Meaning it lends credence to the other 15 stories.
 

nighthob

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Most damning part is the entire Yahoo story. The woman's story is entirely consistent with the many, many other womens' (except she was a PT, not even a masseuse), and she immediately (contemporaneously) told her mother and her best friend. Like a bunch of the other women, he texted her to apologize, she doesn't respond or engage, and he continues to text her with no response, for weeks. Unless there's some absolutely batshit conspiracy (there isn't), her whole story is entirely credible. The man is a compulsive predator.
Right. It happened in May 2020. Not after the other stories become public.

The reason this is a golden bullet is because it mirrors the other 15 stories, but she told her friend and her mother the details BEFORE these stories came out. Meaning it lends credence to the other 15 stories.
I wasn't referring to the last story made public, I was referring to the last incident included in the bundle of assaults. One of his victims was assaulted after Buzbee contacted Watson about prior incidents. That's the point, even after the cat was out of the bag he still continued assaulting women.
 

Phil Plantier

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Houston attorney and Texans super fan Steph Stradley wrote a piece on the Watson lawsuits. She answers many FAQs here:

The Deshaun Watson Lawsuits: Frequently Asked Questions
That was great, thanks. Lots of great information, and the perfect tone, I think.

Her comments about plaintiffs cooperating with the NFL investigation were insightful.

My personal belief is I would not want abused clients cooperating with the NFL investigations based on the limited information we know from previous situations. The plaintiffs don’t work for the NFL, they do not benefit, and the process in practice has made things worse for those who have shared their stories for an investigation.
 

Gash Prex

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We up to 19 now and it ain't getting any better

Three new lawsuits accusing Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct were filed Sunday night, including one that claims the Houston Texans quarterback is deleting Instagram messages and contacting the women "who formally provided him massages, in an attempt to settle" those cases.
The three lawsuits, which were available Monday morning on the Harris County District Clerk's website, bring the total number of lawsuits filed against Watson to 19.
All three lawsuits accuse Watson of sexually assaulting women during massage sessions by "purposely" touching them with his penis and state that his "behavior is part of a disturbing pattern."
The third lawsuit also includes the accusation that Watson is deleting the Instagram messages and contacting the plaintiffs "as a result of the repeated lawsuits against him."
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31158486/lawsuit-accuses-deshaun-watson-deleting-instagram-messages-contacting-accusers-attempt-settle-cases
 

E5 Yaz

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Marciano490

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Imagine thinking deleting your Instagram messages is going to make any difference except making you look dumber. Guess the next step is smashing his phone with a hammer.
 

RG33

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Imagine thinking deleting your Instagram messages is going to make any difference except making you look dumber. Guess the next step is smashing his phone with a hammer.
Deshaun is lucky that the NFL has no precedence with respect to using the DESTROYING of evidence against players.
 

RG33

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It get it. Deflategate, right?

It has no place in this thread.
Well, does the Steph Stradley “white list” comment? That is also DFG related. And it does have direct relevance to what is being discussed, as it is a true (sarcastic) statement.

Either way, thanks for Modding the thread.

Edited for context
 

johnmd20

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Well, does the Steph Stradley “white list” comment? That is also DFG related. And it does have direct relevance to what is being discussed, as it is a true (sarcastic) statement.

Either way, thanks for Modding the thread.

Edited for context
Whatever, your comment was dumb and if your defense is, "Steph Stradley wrote a long information piece on the Watson situation that was linked here," then your defense is not very strong.
 

RG33

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Whatever, your comment was dumb and if your defense is, "Steph Stradley wrote a long information piece on the Watson situation that was linked here," then your defense is not very strong.
It wasn’t a “defense”, I was just calling you out for calling me out. The “White List” was the list of reporters who did a great job at exposing the NFL’s nonsense during DFG which was also referenced in this thread, yet somehow avoided your vigilante modding. Everyone who read the original DFG thread would know this.

Either way, there is a precedent that the NFL has set with regards to star QBs destroying “evidence” being an implicit sign of guilt — which they then used as a core reason as to why they imposed a substantial suspension on said star QB, so I do think it is relevant in this discussion and that these reports are likely not in Deshaun’s favor.
 
Last edited:

Gash Prex

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SI has an article where they talked to a massage therapist who is not one of the plaintiffs, but who detailed similar behavior by Watson
View: https://twitter.com/JennyVrentas/status/1376606917116710914
That's going to be a huge nail in the Watson apologists coffins

I mean who does this?

Watson stayed on his back for the entire session. While massaging his abdomen, Mary says she noticed “different fluids on his stomach.” She remembers questioning whether it was really pre-ejaculate, telling herself, This can’t be what I think it is. In the final five to 10 minutes of the session, Mary says Watson began thrusting his pelvis in the air again, this time much faster. “At that point, I recognized it for what it was,” Mary says. She says she told him he needed to “calm down.” He stopped, the session ended and she left the room to let him get dressed. When she returned, he gave her a hug. Because of his request to use the back entrance, she then had to walk him out of the building.
 

BroodsSexton

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That's going to be a huge nail in the Watson apologists coffins.
This is particularly sad:
Her career aspirations were once to be a massage therapist for professional athletes or teams, but after her experience with Watson, her focus shifted away from that goal.
That's a legitimate career goal for someone in massage therapy, and why shouldn't she want to work with professional athletes, either because she's impressed with their physical abilities and wants to help people who push their bodies, because she thinks its cool to work with athletes and in pro sports, or because it's a lucrative area. All that is, of course, destroyed if this is true.
 

Dogman

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Whatever, your comment was dumb and if your defense is, "Steph Stradley wrote a long information piece on the Watson situation that was linked here," then your defense is not very strong.
It wasn’t a “defense”, I was just calling you out for calling me out. The “White List” was the list of reporters who did a great job at exposing the NFL’s nonsense during DFG which was also referenced in this thread, yet somehow avoided your vigilante modding. Everyone who read the original DFG thread would know this.

Either way, there is a precedent that the NFL has set with regards to star QBs destroying “evidence” being an implicit sign of guilt — which they then used as a core reason as to why they imposed a substantial suspension on said star QB, so I do think it is relevant in this discussion and that these reports are likely not in Deshaun’s favor.
With the exception of PMs, this should be the end of this.

Thanks.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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SI has an article where they talked to a massage therapist who is not one of the plaintiffs, but who detailed similar behavior by Watson
View: https://twitter.com/JennyVrentas/status/1376606917116710914
Other than the obvious, you know whats super fucked up?

In the following months, she says she heard from Watson twice more, via Instagram direct message. Each time he did not seem to realize that he’d previously booked with her. SI reviewed these messages, sent from Watson’s verified Instagram account, as part of the process to corroborate Mary’s account.
The dude does this so often, and he thinks these masseuses are such interchangeable objects, that he doesnt even remember the woman he assaulted. In fact, shes so forgettable, he tries to (most likely) assault her TWICE more without realizing hes already shown her his erect, precum soaked dick.

Other than that, though? Seems like one off behavior. I'm sure it was just a big misunderstanding. Boys will be boys. Etc etc etc...
 

Was (Not Wasdin)

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At about 4pm on January 12, 2020, the Houston Texans had

-the best young QB in the NFL not named Mahomes
-a truly elite receiver in D'Andre Hopkins and an explosive (if oft-injured) playmaker in Will Fuller, plus Kenny Stills
-Carlos Hyde, having the best season of his career; and
-a 24-7 lead on the Chiefs, and a ticket to host an AFC CG with one good half of football.

It is almost unfathomable how many things have gone wrong for this franchise since BOB's stupid fake punt call.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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At about 4pm on January 12, 2020, the Houston Texans had

-the best young QB in the NFL not named Mahomes
-a truly elite receiver in D'Andre Hopkins and an explosive (if oft-injured) playmaker in Will Fuller, plus Kenny Stills
-Carlos Hyde, having the best season of his career; and
-a 24-7 lead on the Chiefs, and a ticket to host an AFC CG with one good half of football.

It is almost unfathomable how many things have gone wrong for this franchise since BOB's stupid fake punt call.
I'm confused...which part of Bob's fake punt made Watson sexually assault woman? Or are they unrelated?