NYT investigation reveals Deshaun Watson met with 66 women for massages over 17-month period
AP Photo/Ron Schwane
- Deshaun Watson met with at least 66 women for massage appointments over a 17-month period, according to a report from the New York Times.
- The report also noted that Watson was provided with an NDA by the Houston Texans' head of security.
- In March, a Texas grand jury declined to charge Watson criminally. Shortly thereafter, he signed a groundbreaking deal with the Cleveland Browns.
A report from the New York Times has brought forth new details concerning the scope of the sexual misconduct allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
According to Jenny Vrentas at the New York Times, Watson met with at least 66 women for massage appointments over a 17-month period from fall 2019 to spring 2021, according to the Times, more than previously had been known.
Watson now faces 24 civil suits alleging sexual misconduct and assault from women he had hired as massage therapists, including two more cases that were filed just this week. In response to the latest lawsuit, Watson's lawyer Rusty Hardin issued a brief statement, noting that "Deshaun continues to deny he did anything inappropriate with any of the plaintiffs."
Interviews the New York Times conducted with several of the women who had previously not spoken publicly painted a very similar picture to the civil cases that have already been brought against Watson, showing a pattern of Watson reaching out to make appointments over Instagram, exposing himself during those appointments, directing therapists to focus on his groin, moving his body so that his penis would touch their hands, and requesting sexual acts.
In some cases, Watson's coercion went further.
Per the Times:
"One woman, who did not sue Watson or complain to the police, told The Times that he was persistent in his requests for sexual acts during their massage, including 'begging' her to put her mouth on his penis."
Additionally, the Times investigation revealed that Watson had used a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with some massage therapists, and that the document had been provided by Houston Texans head of security Brent Naccara. The investigation also suggests that the Texans paid for the room at The Houstonian, wherein Watson met with several women for massage appointments, though the Texans weren't aware that he was using the rooms for that purpose "that I know of," according to Watson.
In March, a Texas grand jury decided not to indict Watson on criminal charges relating to any of the allegations against him.
While the civil cases still remained, as did potential punishment from the NFL (expected in the coming weeks), Watson's non-indictment was shortly followed with a trade to the Cleveland Browns, who lavished the quarterback with a new five-year, $230 million contract that came fully guaranteed. It's the largest fully guaranteed contract in the history of football, and it made Watson the second-highest paid player in the league heading into 2022.
Read the Times investigation in full here.