Three years after more than 20 women filed lawsuits accusing Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct, the Cleveland Browns quarterback is facing more legal action and allegations.
A woman in Harris County, Texas, sued Watson on Monday, accusing him of sexual assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress for an incident that allegedly occurred in October 2020. The NFL is looking into the matter under the league’s personal conduct policy, it said Tuesday. The Browns declined to comment.
It’s the latest development in a saga that has stretched to early 2021. Here’s a full timeline of Watson’s legal troubles and career since then.
January 2021: Watson requests trade
Three weeks after the end of the 2020 regular season, during which Watson led the NFL in passing yards, he requests a trade from Houston. Four months earlier, he had signed a four-year, $156 million extension with a no-trade clause.
Watson in his final game with the Texans on Jan. 3, 2021. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
March 2021: First allegations emerge
On March 16, 2021, a Houston massage therapist accuses Watson of sexual misconduct. The woman is represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, who says later that week that more than 20 women have contacted his office with allegations of Watson’s misconduct during massages.
Hours after the first filing, Watson says in a statement that he has “never treated any woman with anything other than utmost respect” and that he rejected a six-figure settlement demand from Buzbee.
Twenty-two lawsuits are filed against Watson by April. The NFL begins its own investigation of Watson.
April 2021: Women identify themselves, Goodell speaks out
Two Harris County judges rule that many of the women accusing Watson must identify themselves and resubmit their cases, leading to more than 20 women attaching their names to filings. The first woman to file a lawsuit, Ashley Solis, later reports receiving death threats after coming forward publicly.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shares on April 29 the league is still determining whether Watson violated its personal conduct policy.
“We’re obviously following that and looking at that ourselves, independently,” Goodell says. “There are important steps that we will be taking as part of our personal conduct policy. When we get to that point, we will certainly make a decision.”
July 2021: Watson reports to camp
The NFL says that Watson can participate in Texans offseason activities without restrictions as the league continues its investigation and works alongside the Houston Police Department.
Watson reports to training camp on July 25, one day before Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, confirms that the number of women filing police reports against the quarterback has increased to 10.
September 2021: Watson inactive for season opener
Watson is named to the Texans’ 53-man roster, but is listed as inactive for the team’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 12.
Watson would go on to be listed as inactive for each game of the season, listed out with a “non-injury-related” designation. The Texans finish the 2021 season 4-13.
March 2022: Watson cleared by grand jury, traded to Cleveland
On March 11, 2022, Watson is cleared by a grand jury of criminal charges related to the sexual misconduct allegations against him in Harris County.
One week later, Watson is traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2022 first-round draft pick, 2023 first- and third-round picks and 2024 first- and fourth-round picks. Watson, who could choose his destination based on the no-trade clause, previously met with the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers before choosing the Browns. Incumbent Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield requests a trade the same week.
As part of the deal, the Browns rework Watson’s contract to pay him $230 million through 2026, all fully guaranteed — an NFL record for guaranteed money.
May and June 2022: Two more lawsuits, settlements and a news conference
Watson at an introductory news conference after being traded to Cleveland. (Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
Two more women file civil lawsuits alleging Watson committed sexual assault and sexual misconduct, raising the number of active filings to 24.
On June 7, the New York Times reports Watson booked appointments with 66 massage therapists from fall 2019 through spring 2021. One day later, the Texans organization is added as defendants to the civil lawsuits, with Buzbee citing details from The New York Times’ report and claiming the franchise “was well aware of Watson’s issues, but failed to act.”
Later that month, Watson speaks with reporters for the first time in over a year. He says he “never assaulted, disrespected or harassed anyone.”
In late June, Watson reaches settlements with 20 of the 24 women. Three of the other four lawsuits, including Solis’, were later settled, Buzbee reveals on Aug. 1. In July, the Texans also reach settlements with 30 women who made or are intending to make claims against Watson, Buzbee says. The franchise says the settlement is in no way an admission of any misconduct on the part of the team.
August 2022: NFL suspends Watson
The NFL and Watson agree on an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine, along with mandatory counseling. The suspension agreement concludes a month of deliberations and appeals following the guidance of a six-game suspension proposal, which was handed down by the NFL and NFL Players Association’s appointed disciplinary officer, Sue L. Robinson.
The NFL would appeal Robinson’s decision as the league sought to suspend Watson for the entire 2022 season. While awaiting a suspension verdict, Watson plays in one preseason game on Aug. 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, his first game in 19 months.
December 2022: Watson makes Browns debut
With his suspension over, Watson makes his regular-season debut for the Browns in Week 13 against his former team, the Texans. Watson, who was cleared to return to practice fewer than three weeks earlier, throws for 131 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 27-14 win.
Cleveland goes 3-3 with Watson as the starter and finishes the season 7-10, missing the playoffs.
November 2023: Season-ending shoulder surgery
Watson walks off the field against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 12, 2023. (Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
Watson’s second season in Cleveland is derailed by a shoulder injury. He misses two games early in the season, then suffers a displaced fracture to the glenoid in his shoulder, ending his season in Week 9.
He totals 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions as the Browns go 5-1 in his starts. Cleveland goes on to finish the year 11-6 and make the playoffs behind a resurgent run from Joe Flacco.
September 2024: Another lawsuit filed
One day after Watson struggles in the Browns’ season opener, throwing two interceptions in a loss, another woman sues Watson in Harris County, accusing him of sexual assault and battery from an incident that allegedly occurred on a date at the woman’s apartment in October 2020.
One day later, the NFL says it doesn’t plan on placing Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list in light of the new lawsuit: “We are reviewing the complaint and we will look into the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy. Not looking at Commissioner’s Exempt list as there’s been no formal charges and the league’s review has just begun.”
(Top photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
