Even during the opening week of NFL free agency, the biggest story has surrounded Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson. Already in the news after he requested a trade from the Texans, Watson is now facing sexual assault allegations from multiple women.
Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee sent shockwaves throughout the league by claiming that Watson assaulted an unnamed woman who works as a massage therapist. In said release, the attorney noted that he’s filing a civil suit against Deshaun Watson.
Since then, more allegations and lawsuits have come up. That includes additional allegations of assault against other massage therapists. Apparently, the NFL has now taken note.
Read More: Houston Texans respond to civil suit against Deshaun Watson
NFL opens investigation into Deshaun Watson
In a confidential letter sent from the league office in New York City to Mr. Buzbee, since leaked to the media, NFL special council Lisa Friel confirmed that an investigation has been opened up.
“I am the Special Council for Investigations at the National Football League and it is my job to look into any allegations that might involve a violation of the League’s Personal Conduct Policy. I became aware of the lawsuits you filed yesterday, as well as the one you filed this morning, which contain various allegations of misconduct by Houston Texans player Deshaun Watson,” Friel wrote. “I am writing to let you know that the League has opened an investigation and to request the cooperation of your clients in our investigation.”
It must be noted that the investigation is pending. The NFL is doing its due-diligence, which is to be expected in a situation like this. It has not come to a determination and likely isn’t close to coming to one. It also must be noted that no criminal charges have been filed against Deshaun Watson. In fact, there’s been nothing come out from authorities in the area.
With all of that said, multiple women are now accusing Watson of sexual assault. The league needs to take said accusations seriously after dropping the ball when it comes to multiple off-field situations relating to other star players in the past.
Read More: Houston Texans rumors: Deshaun Watson trade talks likely to heat up around 2021 NFL Draft
Deshaun Watson allegations and more information
If these allegations are proven true, Deshaun Watson will no longer be in the NFL. That’s almost a guarantee. The major backdrop here is his status as one of the faces of the league and recent trade request to be traded by the Houston Texans.
Behind the scenes, some have pointed to a potential conspiracy between Buzbee and the Texans’ organization to somehow ruin Watson’s name after he requested a trade. In fact, Buzbee claims to have once been owner Cal McNair’s neighbor. However, said conspiracy theory really holds no weight right now.
As for Buzbee, he now says that nine women have retained him after claiming misconduct on the part of Deshaun Watson.
“The Buzbee Law Firm has now been hired by nine women to bring cases against Deshaun Watson,” he announced on Instagram recently. “The allegations are similar. We have filed three, and, as we complete our due diligence, will file the remaining ones in due course. We are talking to several others.”
As for Watson’s trade demand and his future in the NFL, everything now seems to be up in the air. It’s hard to imagine any team trading for him with these allegations still pending, regardless of whether they are true.