Watson’s accusers on HBO; NFL scrutiny ongoing
Developments tied to Deshaun Watson’s legal woes continue to surface.
NFL officials reportedly want to meet with Watson again after interviewing him this week in Houston, and several of the Cleveland Browns quarterback’s accusers participated in an interview that is scheduled to air Tuesday on HBO.
Watson met with the league this week in Houston as it investigates whether he violated its personal conduct policy.
On Friday, Cleveland TV station Fox 8 reported that Rusty Hardin, Watson’s attorney, said the league wants to meet with Watson again.
Despite Watson being accused by 24 women of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage appointments and 22 of those women suing him, the Browns traded for the three-time Pro Bowl selection on March 18 in a historic deal with the Houston Texans. The Browns also gave Watson a five-year contract worth a record-setting $230 million fully guaranteed.
Several of the women who have accused Watson of sexual misconduct were interviewed for an episode of HBO’S “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.”
According to a news release from the network, the women detailed the alleged abuse they suffered and shared their reactions to Watson’s recordbreaking contract with the Browns. The episode will debut at 10 p.m. Tuesday.
In March, two Texas grand juries combined to decline to indict Watson on 10 criminal complaints, but the 22 civil lawsuits remain active. Watson has denied all wrongdoing.
Even though Watson has not been charged, he could still be suspended by the league.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly stated there is no time frame for when former U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson, a disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the league and NFL Players Association, will render a decision on whether Watson violated the personal conduct policy.
If Robinson punishes Watson and he appeals her decision, Goodell or a designee would handle the appeal, according to the rules outlined in the personal conduct policy.