Berea, Ohio – Deshaun Watson has mentioned he has by no means revered girls and was shocked by the allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate habits made in opposition to him.
“I do know these allegations [are] “Very, very critical,” mentioned Watson, “however I’ve by no means been used to any girl.” I’ve by no means disdained any girl.”
The Cleveland Browns launched Watson as their new quarterback Friday at a press convention.
On March 18, The Browns acquired Watson in a enterprise take care of the Houston Texans earlier than signing a brand new five-year, assured $230 million contract, probably the most assured quantity on a single contract in NFL historical past at $80 million.
Brown traded with Watson whereas he nonetheless confronted lawsuits from 22 girls, instances accusing him of sexual assault and indecent habits. The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Tony Busby, instructed ESPN that Brown’s household by no means contacted him or spoke to any of his purchasers throughout the investigation, which Brown described as “in depth.”
Cleveland basic supervisor Andrew Perry mentioned authorized counsel suggested the staff to not contact the ladies instantly “out of concern that it will be thought-about interference in a felony investigation.” Berry mentioned the staff used impartial investigators however didn’t say whether or not these investigators had contact with the ladies.
“I’ll say that the investigators we employed had been in a position to get a full perspective on all of the instances,” Perry replied. “I will not essentially go into the main points of all the things the investigators did, however they did get a full perspective on all of the felony and civil instances.”
A second grand jury in Texas on Thursday declined to indict Watson after contemplating his sexual misconduct cost, the Brasoria County District Lawyer mentioned. Earlier this month, a grand jury in Harris County, the place Houston is situated, declined to convey felony prices in opposition to Watson after a police investigation sparked by lawsuits. The allegations within the lawsuits vary from touching girls along with his genitals to pressured oral intercourse. Eight of the ladies who sued Watson filed felony complaints in opposition to him with Houston police and had been on account of seem earlier than a grand jury.
On Friday, Watson mentioned it was “not my intention” to settle any of the 22 civil instances. Buzbee instructed ESPN that Watson has two further deposits scheduled for subsequent week.
“I perceive that the situations are all very tough, particularly for the feminine aspect of the fan on this group; I am not naive about it,” Watson mentioned.
“The issues which have come out off the sphere now have shocked me as a result of I have not executed something these individuals declare.”
Jamie and de Haslam Malka Brown, who met Watson in particular person in Houston earlier than buying and selling on his behalf, didn’t attend the press convention however a Zoom name with the media was scheduled for later within the day.
