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Debate

Roger Goodell's silence on Deshaun Watson—Is the NFL protecting its stars over integrity?

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been having Ls and Ls. A few days back, he lost his father. Then, he was criticized for his poor performance in a 17-33 loss against the Cowboys. Now, he has been caught in a fresh legal battle. It’s even more dangerous! The Bears QB has been sued again.

The case dates back to October 2020. The accusations are of s—-l a—–t and b—–y while on a date. Amidst all these, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is in the spotlight. Everyone is asking if he would suspend him. If he does, the Browns can immediately terminate the quarterback’s 5-year $230 million contract (signed in 2022) without paying his salary guarantees. But he is silent. Let’s explore what the lawsuit is all about.

 

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A woman, a Jane Doe, has claimed that Watson assaulted her at her home. They first got in contact when the signal caller’s representatives approached her in a bar. After exchanging phone numbers, they chatted for many months before she invited him to her home on October 10, 2020. The details in the lawsuit are very graphic yet horrific.

Doe claims in the lawsuit that during the date, Watson asked her to massage him. He then assaulted her in an s—-l manner. She somehow gathered the courage to warn him to leave, after which the QB left. His behavior during the date was also described as very aggressive. But this case has a striking thing about it.

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Attorney Tony Buzbee is representing the victim in this case as well. He also represented 25-plus women who accused the signal caller of the same behavior in 2022. Let’s check out the history of previous cases.

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Roger Goodell's silence on Deshaun Watson—Is the NFL protecting its stars over integrity?

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Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension

In 2021 and 2022, the quarterback faced similar accusations of s—-l a—–t. More than 25 women filed a lawsuit against him for predatory behavior during the massage sessions. Buzbee had then requested the Houston Police Department to investigate those accusations. Later, Houston Texans settled more than a dozen such lawsuits. But repercussions were tough.

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Just a month after the first lawsuit was filed in March 2021, Nike and Beats by Dre canceled their endorsement deals with the NFL player. NFL also suspended Deshaun Watson for 6 games initially in the 2022 season. But Roger Goodell filed an appeal for a full season ban with the offseason. Later, NFL and NFLPA agreed for a 11-games suspension with a $5 million fine. This (Jane Doe) lawsuit could also prove hefty.

Buzbee’s client is seeking compensation of over $1 million. Till now, the Browns and the NFL have released no statement on this issue. Stay connected while we bring more updates from this case.