NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league still reviewing latest claims against Deshaun Watson
Sports
The league, per standard procedure, has sought to interview the plaintiff through her lawyer, Tony
ATLANTA (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is still reviewing the latest claims of sexual assault and battery against Deshaun Watson.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback resolved the civil lawsuit filed against him by the woman but that doesn’t preclude him from being disciplined by the league.
“We’re continuing our review like we would,” Goodell said Tuesday at the conclusion of the league’s fall meeting. “As you know, we take the personal conduct policy seriously so our people are working diligently.”
The league, per standard procedure, has sought to interview the plaintiff through her lawyer, Tony Buzbee.
Watson was suspended for the first 11 games in 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions.
Watson was also fined $5 million and had to undergo mandatory evaluation before he was reinstated by the league.
The latest lawsuit was filed on Sept. 9 in Harris County, Texas. The unidentified woman alleged Watson had sexually assaulted her in 2020 while on a dinner date in her apartment. She was seeking damages in excess of $1 million.
Watson, who is in his third season with Cleveland after being acquired in a controversial trade from Houston, had strongly denied the allegations. The 29-year-old has previously settled nearly two dozen civil lawsuits.
Watson has struggled in Cleveland after the Browns traded a slew of draft picks to get him and gave him a $230 million guaranteed contract. The Browns are 1-5 this season and some fans are calling for the team to bench Watson in favor of backup Jameis Winston.
