Tag: Deshaun Watson lawsuit

Report: At least 2 plaintiffs in Texans QB Deshaun Watson lawsuits meet with NFL investigator

The NFL will meet with two of the plaintiffs in the sexual assault lawsuits involving Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

The NFL said they would investigate the sexual assault lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, and now the league is starting to act.

According to Mark Berman of Fox 26 [KRIV-TV] in Houston, NFL investigator Lisa Friel has agreed to meet with at least two of the women who have filed civil lawsuits against Watson in Harris County district court. The meetings will take place virtually over Zoom.

Berman also reports that additional women involved in the lawsuits have agreed to meet with the Houston Police Department.

All 22 of the lawsuits have been consolidated into one case.

In general manager Nick Caserio’s April 16 Zoom meeting with Houston media, the Texans’ front office boss indicated the club was focused on all aspects of the offseason and not the off-field matters involving Watson.

If the NFL determines that Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy, it could affect his availability in the 2021 season, regardless of where the three-time Pro Bowler finally ends up.

What made Texans GM Nick Caserio mention Bitcoin in his pre-draft press conference?

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio brought up Bitcoin in his pre-draft presser. What made him think of the cryptocurrency?

It isn’t often that cryptocurrency makes its way into NFL discussion, but that is precisely what happened during Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio’s pre-draft press conference Friday.

The first-year general manager was asked about the various scenarios that could happen with quarterback Deshaun Watson’s legal situation. The three-time Pro Bowler could sit out, be suspended, or sit out on his own as he clearly doesn’t want to be with the Texans any longer.

Caserio wasn’t cryptic or esoteric when it came to answering how the organization is planning any contingency with Watson.

“We’re not going to get into a lot of hypotheticals and speculation,” Caserio said. “I’m not really good at that. Maybe someone else is better at that than me. If you want to speculate, probably go buy Bitcoin and focus on that.”

Bitcoin is currently trending due to the success of dogecoin, which was last reported to be above 30 cents, according to USA TODAY. Jim Cramer from CNBC reportedly sold Bitcoin to pay for a mortgage.

Just like currency, making plans around Watson’s turbulent off-field situation is a realm the Texans have little control, and it would be prudent to focus on the areas where they can exert positive influence.

“We’re going to focus on the things we can control, which is getting ready for the draft and trying to take advantage of the opportunities to continue to add to our team and build our roster,” said Caserio. “And we’ll just take it one day at a time and focus on the things we can control.”

The Texans do not pick until No. 67 overall in Round 3 of the draft. In 2018, they were in a similar scenario and were able to find a quality starter in safety Justin Reid from Stanford. Caserio will have to replicate the same fortune to help Houston recover from a 4-12 finish a season ago.

Texans are focused on the NFL draft and offseason program, not QB Deshaun Watson

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio says the team is focused on the offseason program and the draft, not necessarily Deshaun Watson.

Whether it’s his trade request or an ongoing civil lawsuit, Deshaun Watson continues to dominate the headlines for the Houston Texans. And with the NFL draft less than two weeks away, nothing has changed.

General manager Nick Caserio held his first pre-draft press conference as the Texans’ general manager. And with Watson’s legal troubles and future in Houston uncertain, the Texans appear to be focusing on the draft and the start of their offseason program.

“I really do not have a comment,” Caserio said. “I know [chairman and CEO] Cal (McNair) and ownership put a letter out a few weeks ago, just relative to the organizational stance, and I don’t have anything to add. It’s a legal process. We’re respectful of the legal process and where that is. We are focus on our offseason program and getting ready for the draft.”

In late January, Watson requested a trade four months after signing a four-year extension worth $156 million in September. Watson has since found himself in a crisis, as 22 plaintiffs have accused the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback of sexual assault.

Caserio was once adamant about keeping Watson under center in Houston. But now it remains uncertain if the Texans will consider keeping Watson or grant his trade request once his legal troubles are over.

Court to consolidate Texans QB Deshaun Watson’s lawsuits

All of the cases against Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson have been consolidated into one case to be heard in Harris County district court.

A Harris County court will hear all of the cases against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson as they are being consolidated into one case.

On April 9 during an emergency hearing, State Civil District Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier ruled in favor of Watson’s camp that the women suing Watson should reveal their names.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, announced that one of Watson’s 22 accusers has dropped their civil lawsuit against the quarterback. Hardin is the attorney who is representing Watson after 22 massage therapists accused the 25-year-old Georgia native of sexual assault.

Since the lawsuits have been filed on , Watson has lost endorsements in the process. Watson responded on social media at the outset on March 17 prior to the first lawsuit being filed in Harris County district court.

How much football will Texans QB Deshaun Watson even play in 2021?

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson’s sexual assault lawsuits aren’t going away anytime soon. How could it affect his playing time in 2021?

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is facing 22 sexual assault lawsuits from as many women in Harris County district court.

Peter King from NBC Sports believes the evidence brought to light over the past week could increase the chances Watson faces punitive action from the NFL.

1. I think this past week revealed enough evidence in the Deshaun Watson case to suggest—suggest, I say—that there’s a good chance Watson will be suspended or put on the Commissioner’s Exempt List (rendering him ineligible to play) for at least part of the 2021 season. I can’t see another team trading for him until his legal situation is resolved.

If the rest of the NFL believes there is a good chance Watson will face such a punishment, then it affects the Texans’ ability to trade him period, let alone get anything substantial in return.

King suggested the Carolina Panthers may not be out of the Watson sweepstakes, although he noted that they may not give up a king’s ransom.

What complicates matters for the Texans is if they deal Watson after the NFL drat, which is looking more likely. If Houston trades Watson after the draft, their compensation will be lower than what it would have been prior to the draft. However, the trading up from the San Francisco 49ers and the Panthers acquisition of former New York Jets first-round quarterback Sam Darnold suggests the league may be moving on from the notion of Watson playing in a new city.

Texans QB Deshaun Watson’s lawyer looks forward ‘to resolving these matters in court’

Rusty Hardin, attorney representing Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson amid 22 sexual assault lawsuits, says he hopes to resolve the matters in court.

The attorney representing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in his 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault says he looks forward to resolving the matters in a court of law.

Attorney Rusty Hardin issued a statement via KPRC-TV’s Vanessa Richardson on Thursday outlining why he has filed a motion to discover the identity of the 22 Jane Does who are suing Watson.

“We have said this before and we want to say it again: Deshaun did not force, coerce or intimidate anyone to do anything against their will. When we asked Mr. Buzbee to identify his clients weeks ago, he refused and told us to file a motion. Today we filed that motion. As discussed in our filing, Mr. Buzbee’s use of anonymous lawsuits violates Texas law and the basic concept of fairness.

It is clear that, for Mr. Buzbee, this case has never been about seeking justice in a courtroom, but destroying Deshaun’s reputation to enhance his own public profile and enrich himself. While I understand that anonymity often is used as a shield for victims, Mr. Buzbee is using it as a sword. While shielding his clients from public scrutiny, Mr. Buzbee continues to use their anonymous allegations to destroy Mr. Watson. This is simply not right. And we look forward to resolving these matters in court.”

On Friday, there will be a hearing at 11:00 a.m. in the 113 civil district court in Harris County regarding Hardin’s emergency request to disclose the names of the plaintiffs.

One of the plaintiffs has already come forward and read a public statement. The second known plaintiff submitted a letter that was read by Buzbee’s staff at a press conference.

Beats by Dre and Reliant drop Texans QB Deshaun Watson

Two more sponsors have ended their endorsements with Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

Two more companies have terminated their endorsements with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who faces 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault from as many women.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Reliant Energy and Beats by Dre have terminated their endorsements with the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback.

According to an email from Reliant, the partnership with Watson was already scheduled to terminate during the spring.

“Reliant is aware of pending civil lawsuits and a criminal investigation involving Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans quarterback,” Reliant said. “Our relationship with Watson as a brand ambassador was scheduled to end this spring prior to these allegations, and there are no plans for future engagements or contracts with him. We take accusations of this nature very seriously. With respect to the legal process, we do not have any further comment on this matter.”

Beats by Dre had been in a business relationship with Watson since 2017 when the Texans selected him in Round 1 of the NFL draft.

Eagles and Dolphins continue to monitor Texans QB Deshaun Watson

The Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins are two teams that are still keeping tabs on Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

With Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson now facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, his desire to play for another franchise in 2021 has dwindled to a few teams.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins continue to monitor Watson’s legal situation in hopes of trading for the Pro-Bowl quarterback in the near future.

Wilson reports that the Texans have not engaged in any trade talks, but are listening to offers.

Over half a dozen teams around the league had high interest in acquiring Houston’s disgruntled star prior to the first lawsuit filed against Watson in March.

The San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers were among some of the top destinations for Watson, but all three teams have appeared to end their pursuit for the Texans’ star quarterback. On Monday, the Panthers struck a deal with the Jets to acquire Sam Darnold as their new starter in Carolina. While the Jets and the 49ers are projected to select Zach Wilson and Justin Fields in this year’s NFL Draft.

If the Eagles and Dolphins keep their interest in trading for Watson, there is a good chance both organizations will not make a trade offer until after the 2021 season.

Philadelphia and Miami remain committed to their respective quarterbacks. But both organizations have the flexibility to make a trade should Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa fall short of expectations this season.

Have the Texans missed their chance to trade QB Deshaun Watson?

Another team makes a move to shore up quarterback before the draft. Have the Houston Texans missed their shot to trade Deshaun Watson?

The Carolina Panthers traded for former New York Jets 2018 first-round quarterback Sam Darnold. Carolina sent a 2021 sixth-round pick, a 2022 second-rounder, and a 2022 fourth-rounder for the former No. 3 overall pick from USC.

Darnold frees up the Jets to invest at quarterback, which they can safely do with the No. 2 overall pick in the April draft. Darnold also solves the Panthers’ quarterback situation, albeit by providing decent competition for starter Teddy Bridgewater.

The trading of Darnold also signals that the Panthers are out of the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, a week after the San Francisco 49ers made a similar declaration by action. The 49ers didn’t surrender three first-round picks for the draft capital to take Watson, a known talent. San Francisco moved up to take a young quarterback in Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, or Trey Lance.

Technically, the Jets and the Dolphins, who were the beneficiaries of the 49ers trade, would be considered landing spots for Watson. After all, Tua Tagovailoa in Miami is still in a developmental phase as a quarterback, despite the 6-3 record he compiled as a rookie starter. The Jets also have the picks and players to deal for Watson without it ruining their ability to build around him in 2022.

However, the baggage surrounding Watson may be too great for even the Jets and Dolphins to take a gamble on the three-time Pro Bowler. Even if Watson were to avoid civil or criminal repercussions for any part of the sexual assault allegations, the NFL still has its own internal investigation into the allegations.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger faced comparable allegations and was suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season. In 2017, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was suspended for six games surrounding one domestic violence accusation. It would be better for a quarterback-needy team to just take a younger player, who may miss four to six games in his own right as he develops, and use the remaining picks to build around him.

On Jan. 29, new general manager Nick Caserio was firm that the Texans had “zero interest” in trading Watson. In the Texans’ attempts to play hardball with Watson, they may have cost themselves an opportunity to accelerate the rebuild. As the accusations mount against Watson, teams are evaluating other options and moving on from the Texans’ signal caller.

GM Nick Caserio says Texans take QB Deshaun Watson allegations ‘very seriously’

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio talked about the lawsuits surrounding quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Nick Caserio’s job as the Houston Texans general manager has been everything but a smooth transition when it comes to Deshaun Watson.

The three-time Pro-Bowl quarterback requested a trade upon Caserio’s hiring in January. And now the first-time GM is thrust into maneuvering the Texans organization through Watson’s legal woes.

During the latest episode of Texans All Access, Caserio shared his thoughts on Watson’s sexual assault lawsuit with hosts, Marc Vandermeer and John Harris. 

“We made a statement at the beginning about where the organization stood,” Caserio said on the Texans’ podcast. “It is a legal situation and we are certainly respectful of that. We take them very seriously. The allegations are troubling. And organizationally, that’s not something that we can condone — those types of actions. We’ll let the legal process take care of itself.”

Since attorney Tony Buzbee’s announcement of the first lawsuit on March 16 via Instagram, there are now 19 claims of sexual assault against Watson.

The Texans quarterback and his camp have continued to dispute any sexual wrongdoing. In a post via social media, Watson said he has never treated any woman with anything but the utmost respect.