NFL ends investigation into Deshaun Watson after accuser remains unavailable
Deshaun Watson was accused of s*xually assaulting a woman in 2020 earlier this year.
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Deshaun Watson (Image via IMAGO)
Deshaun Watson gets to breathe a sigh of relief as the NFL has decided to conclude its investigation into the quarterback after recent allegations of s*xual misconduct arose against him.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback who is out for the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles tear risked being hit with yet another hefty fine combined with a suspension. However, due to a lack of evidence, the NFL has concluded that there is not enough reasoning to determine he was in violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
The NFL initiated the proceedings after a woman hailing from Texas filed a suit against him in September and accused him of s*xual assault and battery in 2020. She alleged that the then Houston Texans quarterback entered her room and forced himself onto her on the pretext of going out.
Deshaun Watson settled the lawsuit filed against him in October
The woman’s allegations came over a year after the original lawsuit against him filed by 23 women who accused him of s*xual misconduct. Watson had settled all of these suits and did the same with the woman in this case earlier in October.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy in his written statement made it public that the league is no longer looking into the quarterback over violations of the personal conduct policy.
The matter is closed. There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.
Brian McCarthy stated
This comes as good news to the quarterback who has found himself mired in controversy for the past two and a half years.
Anthony Buzbee, the legal counsel of the accuser told The Washington Post that his client did not meet with the NFL and are not going to comment on the league’s decision.
We don’t meet with the NFL. We settled the case. We have nothing else to say about it.
Anthony Buzbee said
The settlement agreement is likely to have had an NDA that precludes the accuser from speaking on this matter further in the public domain.
Despite the NFL’s best efforts, the accuser was not reachable to them. Buzbee had previously stated that she would be cooperating with the league’s investigative process, however, it would appear that she has had a change of heart. The Cleveland Browns have not commented after the NFL’s announcement.
Deshaun Watson was penalized in 2022 after the league found him in violation of the personal conduct policy. He was suspended for 11 games and paid a hefty fine of $5 million. The quarterback has denied the allegations leveled against him.
The NFL has the power to conduct its investigation when allegations of wrongdoing are leveled against players. Based on the findings of the disciplinary officer, disciplinary action is then recommended. The quarterback can now focus solely on recovering and getting back in form to return next season.
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Sumedh Joshi
(2235 Articles Published)