Clint Lamb
Videos by OutKick
Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson took to social media on Tuesday night, but his reason for doing so wasn’t at all related to his trade status. Instead, Watson came out and denied sexual assault allegations made against him.
That lawsuit is being led by attorney Tony Buzbee, who disclosed the information in a vague Instagram post of his own on Tuesday night. He later told FOX 26 reporter Isiah Carey that Watson was getting a massage from the alleged victim at a time when Watson “went too far.”
Of course, that prompted a response from Watson, who completely denies the allegations.
“As a result of a social media post by a publicity-seeking plantiff’s lawyer, I recently became aware of a lawsuit that has apparently been filed against me,” Watson shared on Twitter. “I have not yet seen the complaint, but I know this: I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect. The plaintiff’s lawyer claims that this isn’t about money, but before filing suit he made a baseless six-figure settlement demand, which I quickly rejected. Unlike him, this isn’t about money for me – it’s about clearing my name, and I look forward to doing that.”
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) March 17, 2021
The timing of these allegations is strange.
Watson has been a major talking point during the NFL offseason ever since he publicly expressed a desire to be traded from Houston. There have been talks of him going to the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, but the Texans aren’t currently willing to deal him.
Now there’s talk of Watson crossing the line with an alleged victim, which adds a new wrinkle to the situation. The priority now will be determining — one way or another — the validity of these claims against him.
If they’re true, then Watson will face serious consequences. If they aren’t true, then the next question will be to ask why the allegations were made in the first place.
It has been noted that Buzbee was once a neighbor of the late Bob McNair, the former owner of the Texans. Is that somehow connected? Who knows, but it’s an odd coincidence at least.
I'm not gonna comment on the veracity of the Deshaun Watson story but I think it is worth noting that the lawyer representing the plaintiff against Watson was Bob McNair's neighbor when the latter was alive.
— Andrew G. Haubner (@A_G_Haubner) March 17, 2021
Some on social media have speculated that this is a tactic being used by Houston brass, but that seems farfetched. What would Cal McNair — or anyone else in the organization — have to gain by accusing Watson of sexual assault? The allegations would probably hurt his trade value if he still insists on switching teams, but they would also taint his reputation if he stays. Both scenarios are bad for Houston.
That doesn’t mean that Houston isn’t connected to the allegations, but it seems like a reach.
But of course, we don’t know whether the allegations are true or false, so we can’t go to Step 2 when we haven’t completed Step 1 yet.
This story is ongoing, so stayed tuned for more details.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
Oh, how things turn. You know, Trevor Lawrence may set a new trend. A high-profile player marrying his girlfriend BEFORE entering the NFL. Some may say it doesn’t make any difference, but when there’s a set of immediate consequences on one slip-up, it does cause one to pause and think (with the larger brain).
This is crap. The Texans are boring and I have never adopted them as my team (I am in Houston and grew up an Oilers fan) but this does not help them or Watson. Pretty weak attempt at a quick buck by the lawyer and the alleged victim. What a waste of time
To say the neighbor angle is somehow related is really afield. Total coincidence in my humble opinion. As Clint noted, what would the Texans have to gain by sullying Watson’s reputation before any possible trade? It wouldn’t make much business sense and the McNair’s are business people. If Watson had already been traded I could see how this might be possible but not before a trade or if the Texans intend on keeping Watson on the team. I am sure at some point we will hear about how this is racist.
As a neighbor of the McNair’s, this guy is probably one of the richest and most successful lawyers in Houston (and Texas), he’s a big name I imagine that’s why he got the case. Media making it an angle because…well….they’re assholes. Of course, you have to be leery of sexual assault charges being made in a DOMESTIC lawsuit unless the lady worked for Watson otherwise go to the cops.
Agreed. The merits of the case may be questionable to me it is just a coincidence with the neighbor angle. Of course the media will spin this to drum up sympathy for poor little DeShaun Watson.
Yeah anymore with these stories about famous athletes I could see it being legit or a false claim for cash…so wait it out. But if the Texans are somehow behind it that is the dumbest move ever.
This reeks of Easterby.
If we’ve learned anything from these stories it is this….withhold judgment until all the facts come out.
Yep. Especially with high profile professional athletes
it would be interesting to know when the massage(s) took place. Watson is a narcissist raised by his mom and may have instinctively known that his public trade drama and his perfect image would make him teflon to any charges or allegations.
the media portrays him as a saint being done wrong by The Man. we have the perfect victim QB Narcissist and he is above reproach.
hope he sits out the season to learn how to be a grown up man.
Good points.
I like that nobody seems to give a shit about this one, because the claim doesn’t seem credible. We might be making progress on cancel culture, and maybe we will slowly get back to “innocent until proven guilty.” Hoping social media lynch mobs become the next victim of “cancel culture.”
Yes. Everyone ran to Winston’s defense too. He settled out of court with 2 different women
Yet another fine upstanding citizen in the national felon league