The attorney for the Jane Doe who filed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault against Deshaun Watson said he has a “pertinent” video to support his client’s claims.
Tony Buzbee also told Pro Football Talk that the woman plans to interview with the NFL in two weeks, along with two individuals who spoke to her “immediately after the assault.”
Watson “strongly” denied these allegations Wednesday via his attorney.
“Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday,” Rusty Hardin said in a statement on Watson’s behalf. “We have asked him to not comment further while the matter works its way through the courts, but are comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated.
“We will be ready to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but don’t intend to conduct our defense in the media. We would ask that people be patient while the legal process runs its course.
“In the meantime, Deshaun is going to focus his energy and concentration on football.”
Buzbee’s client filed a lawsuit Monday in Houston alleging Watson committed sexual assault, battery and intentional inflection of emotional distress in 2020.
The Jane Doe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for more than $1 million, per reports.
She alleges she had a date with Watson on Oct. 10, 2020, with Watson eventually laying “completely naked” face-down on her bed and “aggressively” insisting on receiving a massage on his buttocks.
The lawsuit claims Watson became upset that the individual would not comply before eventually laying her down on the bed.
“Watson then partially disrobed Jane Doe and penetrated her vagina without consent, implicit or explicit. Jane Doe felt paralyzed, unsure if she should risk her safety by trying to stop Watson or endure his assault. Watson roughly sexually assaulted Jane Doe for several minutes in a ‘missionary position’ before grabbing her and flipping her over,” the lawsuit reads, as captured by Pro Football Talk. “Watson continued to assault Doe aggressively from behind. Jane Doe finally gathered the courage and strength to escape Watson. Jane Doe quickly ran to her dresser to grab a heavy piece of décor for self-defense, and yelled at Watson (to) get out of her apartment. Enraged, Watson stormed out of Jane Doe’s apartment.”
The NFL is looking into the issue, but Watson is currently allowed to play and will be under center in Week 2 against the Jaguars on the road.
Watson previously received an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine in 2022 after 24 civil lawsuits were filed against him alleging sexual harassment or assault during private message sessions.
Twenty-three of those civil lawsuits were settled confidentially, per reports.
The Browns traded for Watson in 2022 and immediately signed him to a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.