Watson accuser felt ‘scared’ and threatened
CLEVELAND — One of the women accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of
sexual misconduct while she gave him a
massage felt “scared” and threatened by a
comment he made following a therapy session.
Appearing on HBO’S “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” Ashley
Solis, who is among 22 women who have
sued Watson over allegations he behaved
inappropriately with them, provided graphic details of an encounter with the three-time Pro Bowler.
She also said at the end of a massage, Watson told her: “I know you have a career to
protect,” and “I know you don’t want anyone messing with it
just like I don’t want anyone messing with mine.”
Solis was asked by reporter Soledad O’brien why Watson’s message frightened her.
“Because that sounded like a threat to me,” she said.
During the interview airing Tuesday night, Solis and another massage therapist, Kyla Hayes, both provide details of their
meetings with Watson, who is facing civil
lawsuits by the 22 women alleging various sexual acts during massages he received while playing for the Houston Texans.
Watson has denied any wrongdoing and has maintained any
sex with the women was consensual. Two grand juries in Texas
have declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints filed by 10 women.
Solis and Hayes both said they feel offended by the fiveyear, $230 million contract Watson received
in March from the Browns. Watson’s deal is both the richest in NFL history and fully guaranteed.
“It’s just like a big screw you,” Solis said. ”That’s what it feels like. That we don’t
care. He can run and throw, and that’s what we care about.”
Added Hayes, “It was sick to me . ... I felt like he’s being rewarded for bad behavior.”
The Browns, who have spent two decades in a futile search for a franchise QB,
pursued Watson along with several other
teams. They convinced him to waive
his no-trade clause and join Cleveland after he initially rebuffed the team. The Browns sent three first-round draft picks
and six overall to the Texans for Watson.
One of Watson’s lawyers, Leah Graham, was asked to ex
plain on the show why,
if he was only seeking professional massages, did Watson end up
having sex with some of the women.
“Well, in every massage, I will tell you he did go, intending just for a professional massage, and only those three instances where
sexual conduct occurred — consensual
sexual activity — it occurred after the massage session had
ended,” Graham said. “And Mr. Watson has testified and is insistent that that sexual activity was initiated by the plaintiff in every single instance.”
During his introductory news conference with the Browns in March, Watson was adamant he has “never assaulted, disrespected or harassed any woman in my life.” He also said he had no intention of settling the lawsuits outside of court.
Watson is also facing possible discipline from the NFL, which
is independently investigating whether
he violated its personal-conduct policy.
League investigators interviewed Watson in Houston last week. It’s not known if the inquiry has been completed.
The league could wait for a resolution in the lawsuits before announcing a decision or hand out discipline with a caveat that things could change if
new information surfaces.
Former U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson, a disciplinary officer
jointly appointed by the league and NFL Players Association, is
the one deciding whether Watson violated the personalconduct policy. If Watson is suspended and appeals, Commissioner Roger Goodell would handle any reexamination.
The Browns are eager to find out whether they’ll be without Watson for an extended period. The team resumed offseason team activities Tuesday and will have mandatory minicamp
next month. Training camp is scheduled for July.
Watson treated some of his new teammates to a trip to the Bahamas last week. A team
spokesman said he reported for the voluntary offseason program that resumed
this week. The Browns will have a media
availability Wednesday.