In the week since the first woman filed a sexual lawsuit against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, 23 additional women have now come forward with accusations and 14 lawsuits have been filed, including an alleged incident that occurred as recently as March 2021.
Watson is accused of harassment, inappropriate touching, and assault including forced oral sex during massages. Many of the accusers that have come forward are massage therapists who have worked with Watson.
Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, who is representing the alleged victims in the lawsuits, said he planned to submit affidavits and evidence supporting his client’s claims to the Houston Police Department on Monday morning.
“Per advice from a well-known criminal defense attorney: Our team will be submitting affidavits and evidence from several women, who had experiences with Deshaun Watson, to the Houston Police Department and the Houston District Attorney, on Monday morning,” Buzbee wrote in a Saturday Instagram post. “We will request that a grand jury be empaneled to consider the evidence we provide.”
One of the women called Watson a “serial predator,” according to reports.
After the third accuser came forward, former Falcons wide receiver Roddy White came to Watson’s defense, saying it is “impossible” to force someone to perform oral sex.
Watson said after the first lawsuit that it was “baseless,” and filed by “a publicity-seeking plaintiff’s lawyer.” He said he already “quickly rejected” a “six-figure settlement demand” before the first suit was filed.
“I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect,” Watson said.