Watson settles 20 suits, still faces ban
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s decision to settle 20 of 24 civil lawsuits for sexual misconduct might not dissuade the NFL from giving him a lengthy suspension, a person familiar with the league’s investigation said Tuesday.
Watson has been accused by massage therapists of harassing, assaulting or touching them during appointments when he played for the Houston Texans.
Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents all 24 women, said Tuesday in a statement that once the paperwork is finished on the 20 settlements, “those particular cases will be dismissed.” He added that the terms of the settlements are “confidential” and that his legal team “won’t comment further.”
Watson still faces discipline from the league, which conducted its own investigation into the 26-year-old’s behavior and is expected to make a decision before the Browns open training camp July 27.
Following Buzbee’s announcement, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the agreements have “no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.”
Another league official said “settling doesn’t give someone a pass” and indicated a lengthy suspension remains in order.
NFL investigators interviewed Watson in Houston over several days last month. They’ve spoken with 11 of Watson’s accusers, according to a person familiar with the investigation.
The league will present their findings to disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, a former federal judge who will decide Watson’s punishment.
The Browns, who signed the three-time Pro Bowler to a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract in March, had no immediate comment on the settlements.
Watson has denied any wrongdoing. Rusty Hardin, Watson’s lead attorney, did not immediately return an email or a text seeking comment.
Gronkowski retires:
Rob Gronkowski won’t be joining Tom Brady for a third season with the Buccaneers.
The four-time All-Pro tight end announced his retirement for the second time in three years Tuesday. In an Instagram post, Gronkowski thanked his teammates and coaches over the years and said he’s going back to “chilling out.”
Gronkowski won four Super Bowls with Brady, three in New England.
Snyder accused:
A woman accused Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder of sexually harassing and assaulting her on a team plane in 2009, and the woman later was paid $1.6 million by the team to settle, according to a document obtained by the Washington Post.
The Post reported that it had obtained a letter by an attorney working for the team that detailed the woman’s allegations while arguing that her claims were not credible. The woman agreed not to sue the team or publicly disclose her allegations as part of the settlement.
Snyder denied the woman’s allegations, according to the letter.
The contents of the letter were disclosed a day before a hearing by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which is investigating the team’s workplace culture.
Briefly: The Steelers signed defensive end Larry Ogunjobi to a oneyear deal, shoring up a position of need after Stephon Tuitt’s retirement this month . ... Amazon Prime Video said Ryan Fitzpatrick, the just-retired quarterback, is joining the streaming service as an analyst for its first season of “Thursday Night Football.”