In the months since over 20 women filed civil suits against Deshaun Watson over alleged sexual misconduct, more information regarding their allegations has come to light, however none as explosive as what was revealed in a new report from theNew York Times, which details the alleged lengths he went to meet the women whom he’d go to for massages.
According to the Times, Watson received massages from 66 different women in 17 months, and was provided with hotel rooms and NDAs by his former team, the Houston Texans.
In the report, one woman shared Instagram DMs between her and Watson, who claimed he was “just tryna support black businesses.” Another woman claimed he was “begging” her to put her mouth on his penis during their massage. Watson has since been traded to the Cleveland Browns, and signed a $230 million contract with his new team.
As for the Texans’ involvement, the report reveals that the team—per a deposition from Watson—gave him “a place” at The Houstonian, a hotel and club. One woman alleged that a room she gave a massage to Watson in was registered to a member of the training staff, although Watson claimed the team didn’t know of the massages.
Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said Watson “continues to vehemently deny” the allegations. The Texans organization shared in a statement that the team became aware of the allegations in March of 2021 and “will continue to” cooperate with authorities.
Of the 66 women who gave Watson massages during the 17-month period, 24 have sued Watson, one withdrew, two filed criminal complaints, 15 issued statements of support, and four were part of a group contracted by the Texans, per the Times. Still, some are just now opening up a bout their experiences, as one woman, who opted for anonymity, told the publication that Watson initiated sexual contact during their three appointments, and alleged that he placed her hand between his testicles and anus, as well as initiated sex by pulling down her scrubs. Another woman—as mentioned above—said the football player begged for oral sex.
“I specifically had to say, ‘No, I can’t do that,’” the woman, who also chose to remain anonymous, said. “And that’s when I went into asking him, ‘What is it like being famous? Like, what’s going on? You’re about to mess up everything.’”
Watson would also frequent A New U Spa, for which team owner Dionne Louis became a resource for the athlete, per the Times. She reportedly set up appointments between him and multiple women, none of whom were licensed masseuses. Nia Smith, who also worked at A New U Spa, filed a lawsuit recently, alleging that Watson repeatedly requested sex during their third and last appointment and asked during their second session if she wanted his penis in her mouth.
Smith said Louis knew Watson was seeking sex, which she denied in a deposition, per the Times. She later threatened to “expose” Watson online, days before Watson claimed Brent Naccara—the Texans’ director of security—put an NDA in his locker.
“I don’t know,” Watson said in a deposition uncovered by the Times, in response to questions about why he apologized for making one woman uncomfortable over text. “Like I told you at the beginning of this depo, I’m still trying to figure out why we in the situation we are in right now, why I’m talking to you guys, why you guys are interviewing me. I don’t know. Do not know.”
Watson posted the following to his IG Story following the report:
The NFL is currently conducting an investigation into the allegations, with league Commissioner Roger Goodell recently saying it was “nearing its end.”
