In a shocking turn of events for the Cleveland Browns, star quarterback Deshaun Watson found himself embroiled in yet another scandal as a new allegation of sexual assault came to light on Monday. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, claimed that Watson had “roughly sexually assaulted” her in her apartment while they were supposed to be preparing for a date. This revelation, first reported by ProFootballTalk, sent shockwaves through the football world.
The civil suit filed by Jane Doe bore striking similarities to the accounts given by two dozen of Watson’s previous accusers. While those cases primarily involved allegations of misconduct during massages, this incident was different as it was supposed to be a consensual date. The details of the lawsuit can be found here for those interested in delving deeper into the matter.
As news of the allegation spread, NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy addressed the media on Tuesday, stating that the league would be looking into the matter under the personal conduct policy. Despite the serious nature of the accusation, since no criminal charges had been filed and the NFL’s review process had just begun, Watson would not be immediately placed on the commissioner’s exempt list.
The timing of this latest scandal could not have been worse for the Browns, who had remained silent when asked by Sports Illustrated about a potential review of the allegations just a day prior. The team had yet to release an official statement regarding the matter, leaving fans and observers alike wondering about their next steps.
The implications of these allegations were far-reaching, as they cast a shadow over Watson’s tenure with the Browns. Despite the grand jury in Texas declining criminal prosecution and Watson settling with the majority of his accusers, the cloud of suspicion continued to follow him. The news of a “new” allegation threatened to shake the foundation of what was once heralded as the largest and most secure contract in NFL history.
Just a week after being cleared by the grand jury, the Browns had signed Watson to a mammoth five-year, $230 million deal in March 2022. However, his troubles did not end there, as he was later suspended for 11 games and fined $5 million in August 2022. The findings of the case, as determined by former U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson, painted a damning picture of Watson’s actions, suggesting that he knew his behavior was unwanted.
With the revelation of this latest case and Watson’s struggles on the field, questions arose once again about the Browns’ commitment to their embattled quarterback. As the NFL embarked on its investigation, scrutiny turned towards Watson’s contract. Sports Illustrated managed to obtain copies of both his original deal from 2022 and a revised contract signed with the Browns, shedding light on potential avenues for resolution.
In the midst of these tumultuous developments, the football world braced for what could be a defining moment in the career of Deshaun Watson. As the investigation unfolded and the truth behind the allegations began to emerge, one thing became increasingly clear – the repercussions of this scandal would be felt far beyond the confines of the gridiron.