Texans settle claims in Watson case
Four lawsuits against the team’s former star quarterback are still headed for trial
The Texans have settled claims with all 30 women who accused former quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault during massage appointments, according to the plaintiffs’ attorney and the football organization.
The settlement comes weeks after a civil lawsuit was filed on June 27 in Harris County alleging the team was warned about Watson’s inappropriate behavior during massage therapy sessions several months before the franchise responded publicly.
“Today all of the women who have made, or intended to make claims against the Houston Texans organization have resolved their claims,” plaintiff ’s attorney Tony Buzbee said in a news release, adding the terms of the settlements are confidential.
“I will have no further comment on the allegations or the Texans’ alleged role, other than to say that there is a marked contrast in the way in which the Texans addressed these allegations and the way in which Watson’s team has done so.”
Before the lawsuit was filed last month against the team, a New York Times report showed that the team had provided Watson with the venue where some reported incidents took place.
Twenty-four women filed lawsuits against the quarterback alleging that Watson acted inappropriately by assaulting or harassing them during massage appointments from 2020 to 2021 while he was with the Texans. Watson has denied any wrongdoing and settled 20 of those suits in June.
The team’s ownership group — Janice, Hannah and Cal McNair — issued a statement Friday saying they were “shocked” when allegations first arose.
“Although our organization did not have any knowledge of Deshaun Watson’s alleged misconduct, we have intentionally chosen to resolve this matter amicably,” the statement reads. “This is not an admission of any wrongdoing but instead a clear stand against any form of sexual assault and misconduct.”
The four remaining cases against Watson, Buzbee said, will continue and, he hopes, be tried in the spring.
In late June, Watson appeared
before an NFL disciplinary officer for a three-day hearing regarding the league’s investigation into the allegations of misconduct. According to multiple reports, he is expected to be suspended for at least one full season.
Before the hearing, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Watson’s settlements with the plaintiffs would have no impact on the league’s disciplinary process.
In March, grand juries in both Harris and Brazoria counties declined to indict Watson on criminal charges, according to court records. Some of the massage sessions happened in Pearland.