Deshaun Watson and an anonymous woman reached a settlement in a case that accused the Cleveland Browns quarterback of sexual assault and battery.
“We have now resolved our client’s claim with Deshaun Watson,” attorney Tony Buzbee told multiple media outlets in a statement. “The settlement is confidential.”
Buzbee was representing the woman, known as “Jane Doe” in the court filing. Rusty Hardin, Watson’s attorney, also confirmed that the sides reached an agreement, according to ESPN.
The woman filed the suit in Harris County, Texas, on Sept. 9, alleging that Watson sexually assaulted her at her apartment before the two were supposed to have dinner together back in October 2020. According to the lawsuit, the woman grabbed a heavy object for self-defense following the assault before Watson “stormed out of Jane Doe’s apartment.”
Watson was playing for the Houston Texans at the time.
Hardin released a statement in which Watson denied the woman’s claims. Although the NFL was looking into the allegations under the personal conduct policy, it had not put Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list because there were no formal charges brought forth against Watson.
The NFL declined to comment on the settlement on Monday night, per ESPN.
Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022 after more than 20 women claimed he sexually assaulted them and behaved inappropriately while getting massages. Two grand juries in Texas did not end up charging him criminally, but a settlement reached by the NFL and NFL Players Association in his disciplinary matter led to the hefty suspension.
Before returning to the field, Watson had to pay a $5 million fine and go through a treatment program that was recommended by behavioral experts.
Twenty-three of the 24 lawsuits filed against Watson ended up getting settled.
Even with the most recent allegations, Watson, 29, continued to start under center for Cleveland. He has completed 60.2 percent of his passes for 852 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in five games this season. The Browns are 1-4.
–Field Level Media