NFL Closes Investigation into Latest Sexual Assault Allegation Against Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will not face disciplinary action from the NFL regarding the latest sexual assault lawsuit filed against him.
After a months-long investigation, the NFL announced on Friday that there was insufficient evidence to support a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
“There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy,” an NFL spokesperson said.
The lawsuit, filed just a day after the Browns’ season opener on Sept. 8, marked the 25th time Watson faced legal action alleging sexual assault and misconduct over the past two years. While Watson and his legal team reached a confidential settlement with the plaintiff in October, the league continued its review to determine if the quarterback had violated any policies.
Allegations Date Back to 2020
The lawsuit alleged that Watson sexually assaulted a woman at her apartment during a date in October 2020. The complaint further claimed that Watson had “aggressively” yelled and screamed at her over the phone before arriving at her residence. The woman also alleged that Watson attempted to force her to give him a massage before she managed to escape with a piece of furniture used for self-defense.
This latest accusation came after Watson had settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by over two dozen women who accused him of various forms of sexual misconduct. These prior accusations resulted in an NFL investigation and an 11-game suspension for Watson in 2022.
Watson Currently Out With Injury
29-year-old Watson is currently sidelined due to a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Week 7 of the 2023 season. He is under contract with the Browns through 2026.
(Photo: Brooke Sutton / Getty Images)
How might public opinion affect Deshaun Watson’s future career prospects despite the NFL’s decision?
## NFL Clears Deshaun Watson in Latest Investigation
**[HOST]** Welcome back to the show. We’re discussing the breaking news that the NFL has closed its investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Joining us is Alex Reed, a sports legal analyst. Alex Reed, thanks for being here.
**[GUEST]** Thanks for having me.
**[HOST]** Let’s get right to it. The NFL has been looking into these allegations for months. What can you tell us about their decision to close the investigation and not pursue disciplinary action against Watson?
**[GUEST]** Well, according to the AP report [[1](https://apnews.com/article/deshaun-watson-nfl-browns-c3b88a274089a07eba9daa4a67663833)], the league spent months reviewing the case, likely gathering evidence and conducting interviews. Ultimately, they determined there wasn’t enough to warrant disciplinary action against Watson. This doesn’t necessarily mean the allegations are unfounded, but the NFL likely felt they couldn’t prove them to the required legal standard.
**[HOST]** This isn’t the first time Watson has faced these types of accusations. He previously settled civil lawsuits with over 20 women who accused him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. How might this latest development impact his image and career going forward?
**[GUEST]** This is certainly a complex situation. While he’s not facing NFL discipline, the shadow of these allegations will undoubtedly linger. Public opinion remains divided, and some sponsors may be hesitant to associate with him. However, the Browns have already invested heavily in Watson, and he seems to be rebuilding his relationship with the team. It’s possible he can move forward with his career, but it will likely be a long road to fully regain public trust.
**[HOST]** Thank you, Alex Reed, for your insights on this developing story. We’ll continue to follow it closely.
