Watson: “I’ve never assaulted any woman”
BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson sat stoically behind the microphone, and for nearly 40 minutes barely talked about football.
This wasn’t the time. It’s unclear when that will be.
Facing pointed questions about sexual misconduct allegations brought against him by 22 women, Watson, one of the NFL’S top quarterbacks, defended his character and denied any wrongdoing Friday while being introduced by the Cleveland Browns.
Wearing a dark pinstriped suit and orange tie, Watson showed little emotion at the dais while saying he has never mistreated women and vowing to earn the trust of his new team and a fan base conflicted over his arrival.
“I’ve never assaulted or disrespected or harassed any woman in my life,” Watson said. “I’ve never done these things people are alleging.”
It was the first time Watson has answered direct questions about the allegations, which first surfaced in March 2021. Watson didn’t play last season for Houston as the criminal and civil complaints by massage therapists mounted and before being heard by two grand juries in Texas.
Flanked on the dais by Browns general manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski, Watson was asked why he should be believed and not the nearly two dozen women who have come forward.
He has been accused of exposing himself, touching the women with his penis and forcing himself on them. Watson has maintained any sex was consensual.
“What I can continue to do is tell the truth, and that is I have never assaulted, disrespected or harassed any woman in my life,” he said. “I was raised differently. That is not my DNA. That is not my culture. That is not me as a person.”
On Thursday, a grand jury in Brazoria County, Texas, declined to indict Watson on one of the original criminal complaints. Two weeks ago, a jury in Harris County also chose not to pursue charges on nine cases.