The woman accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of s*xual assault and battery in a newly filed civil lawsuit is set to meet with the NFL to discuss the allegations within the next two weeks, according to her attorney Tony Buzbee.
Buzbee informed Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio that his client, along with two individuals who spoke with her immediately after the alleged assault, will interview with the league. Buzbee also revealed the existence of video evidence that he believes will be “pertinent” to the case.
In an email to ESPN, Buzbee acknowledged his skepticism toward the NFL’s disciplinary process but noted that his client had chosen to cooperate with the league’s investigation. “We will be scheduling a meeting with the NFL and hope that can be accomplished in the next two weeks,” Buzbee wrote. “We have a video and two additional witnesses for the NFL to speak with. I’ve personally never had confidence in the NFL’s disciplinary process, but my client has chosen to engage it.”
The civil lawsuit, filed on Monday in Harris County, Texas, claims the incident took place in October 2020 while Watson was still playing for the Houston Texans. According to the lawsuit, Watson had planned to have dinner with the plaintiff at her apartment but became angry when he had trouble finding her address. After gaining entry to her apartment, the woman alleges Watson insisted she massage him, and when she refused, he s*xually assaulted her.
Watson, through his attorney Rusty Hardin, denied the allegations on Wednesday, stating that Watson would “defend this case in court,” but not through the media. The NFL, which is investigating the lawsuit under its personal conduct policy, has indicated that it will not place Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list since no formal charges have been filed and the review is in its early stages.
The Browns issued a statement, saying, “We will respect the due process our legal system affords regarding the recently filed civil suit and follow the NFL’s guidelines on this matter.”
Watson, who was suspended for 11 games in 2022 following over 20 accusations of s*xual assault while playing for the Texans, will remain the Browns’ starting quarterback as the team prepares for its Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite his legal troubles, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Watson will start, after his performance in Week 1’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, where he threw for 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.