Watson accuser speaks out
First woman to file suit alleges encounter with Texans QB terrorized her
The first woman to accuse Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and harassment in a lawsuit spoke publicly on Tuesday, alleging she was terrorized by her encounter with the NFL player and that he needs to be held accountable for his actions.
During a news conference, Ashley Solis said 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.
“I come forward now so that Deshaun Watson does not assault another woman… I am seeking justice not just on behalf of myself but for all survivors… This is about having my voice heard,” a tearful Solis said as she read a statement, adding she was no longer afraid to speak out. Watson has been accused of sexual assault or harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women.
Solis’ description of her encounter with Watson, in which he allegedly touched her with his penis
during the massage session, mirrors the accusations made by the other women in their lawsuits.
They accuse Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his penis or kissing them against their will while he got a massage. At least one woman has alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex during a massage in December.
All of the women who have sued Watson are either licensed massage therapists or worked in a spa or similar business. The first lawsuit — from Solis — was filed on March 16 and the most recent one was filed Monday.
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 for $30,000.
Packers: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers got quite the surprise in his first episode as a guest host of “Jeopardy!” Contestant Scott Shewfelt was stumped on the final question of the episode that aired Monday. He decided to reply by referencing a controversial Packers strategic decision in last season’s NFC championship game as he wrote, “Who wanted to kick that field goal?” The Packers trailed Tampa Bay 31-23 and had fourthand-goal with just over two minutes left when they opted to kick a field goal rather than going for the touchdown. Mason Crosby made the field goal, but the Bucs took the kickoff and maintained possession the rest of the way to win 31-26. When Shewfelt’s question appeared on the screen, Rodgers paused before saying, “That is a great question. It should be correct, but unfortunately for this game today, it’s incorrect.” Rodgers is hosting “Jeopardy!” for the next two weeks as the show goes through a series of guest hosts to replace Alex Trebek, who died of cancer on Nov. 8.
Lions: Detroit has signed cornerback Quinton Dunbar, adding desperately needed help in its secondary. Dunbar had armed robbery charges dropped against him last year in a case that involved New York Giants defensive back Deandre Baker, who also was cleared. Dunbar has at least one interception in each of his six NFL seasons.
Vikings: Cornerback Jeff Gladney turned himself in to Dallas County Jail in Texas on Monday after an arrest warrant was issued on a family violence assault charge involving an altercation with a woman on Friday. Gladney, a 2020 first-round draft pick who started 15 games as a rookie, faces a thirddegree felony charge, which carries a possible sentence of two to 10 years in prison, according to CBS 11 News in Dallas-fort Worth.