Nike suspends sponsorship of Watson
Cites deep concern about sexual assault allegations against QB
Nike has suspended its endorsement contract with Deshaun Watson amid allegations of sexual assault and harassment against the Houston Texans quarterback.
“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson,“Nike said in a statement released Wednesday. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Watson has been accused of sexual assault or harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women. One of those women, Ashley Solis, said Tuesday during a news conference that she was assaulted and traumatized when she
tried to give Watson a massage in March 2020.
The Associated Press usually does not name victims of sexual assault, but Solis has chosen to publicly identify herself.
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has called the allegations “meritless” and questioned the claims against Watson, alleging they were made following a failed attempt to blackmail his client.
The Houston Police Department said last week it was investigating Watson after someone had filed a report with the agency about Watson. Tony Buzbee, who represents the 22 women, said it was not Solis but another of his clients who filed the first report with police.
The NFL has been in contact with Buzbee during its own investigation.
Watson was signed to a deal with Nike in 2017 when he entered the NFL. Last November, he teamed with the company to provide jerseys for Yates High School in Houston. George Floyd graduated from Yates in 1993 and played football for the school.
Bills: Buffalo agreed to sign guard Forrest Lamp to a one-year contract in continuing a series of offseason moves to add experienced offensive line depth. Lamp spent the past four seasons with the Chargers and was one of two Los Angeles linemen to play every offensive snap last season. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Lamp was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft out of Western Kentucky.
Bengals: Cincinnati continued to part with veterans when they released running back Giovani Bernard on Wednesday.
Cowboys: Dallas signed punter Bryan Anger and tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, adding depth at both positions for offseason workouts.
Titans: Tennessee hired veteran defensive coordinator and former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz as a senior defensive assistant.
Draft: Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith of Alabama is scheduled to appear in person in Cleveland at the NFL draft later this month. Smith, the wide receiver projected to be a high first-round pick, is among a group of players who have accepted their invitations to attend the draft. The NFL announced last month that some of the top prospects were being invited to Cleveland. The league is hoping to incorporate some of the city’s bestknown locations along Lake Erie: Firstenergy Stadium, home of the Browns; and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The draft will be held April 29 to May 1. Last year’s draft was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic as commissioner Roger Goodell hosted the 2020 event from his New Yorkarea home, but he will be in attendance this time in Ohio. Smith won’t be the only member of the national champions in attendance. Quarterback Mac Jones, defensive lineman Christian Barmore and cornerback Patrick Surtain II will be there as well. Also attending the festivities will be wide receiver Ja’marr Chase, who won the national title with LSU in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season; North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance; Florida tight end Kyle Pitts; Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau; and Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.