In a fresh lawsuit, the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson, faces allegations of sexual misconduct that occurred in 2020.
In a legal case released to CNN, a lady named "Jane Doe" asserts that Watson sexually assaulted her in her residence prior to a dinner date in October 2020.
The lawsuit details that Watson, who was still a member of the Houston Texans at the time, became enraged when he couldn't locate the woman's apartment, venting his frustration over the phone.
Upon entering, as the woman was preparing in the bathroom, Watson allegedly removed his clothes and demanded a massage to his buttocks while lying on her bed.
According to the filing, the woman, known as Jane Doe, felt terrified.
"She was in her small apartment with a much larger man. ... Doe thus tried to placate Watson by rubbing his back, rather than his buttocks," the suit reads.
Watson persisted in requesting a massage for his buttocks, but she declined, causing him to grow agitated, according to the suit.
"Jane was frozen with fear, unsure of how to reject Watson's advances without jeopardizing her safety," the suit alleges.
The lawsuit alleges that Watson disrobed the woman and "penetrated her ... without consent, either implied or explicit."
The suit alleges: "Jane Doe felt paralyzed, unsure if she should risk her safety by attempting to stop Watson or endure his assault."
The alleged sexual assault is said to have continued "for several minutes" before the woman managed to break free and obtain a hefty object for protection, the suit adds. The lawsuit states that Watson then "stormed out" of the apartment.
Neither Watson's legal representatives, the Browns, the Texans, nor the NFL Players Association responded to CNN's request for comment.
The NFL declined to comment when contacted by CNN.
Jane Doe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $1 million, the lawsuit states.
In 2022, the NFL and the NFLPA agreed to suspend Watson for 11 regular season games without pay and fine him $5 million following at least 24 civil lawsuits filed on behalf of women alleging that the quarterback sexually harassed or assaulted them during private massage appointments while he was playing for the Texans.
Watson maintained his innocence in those cases, and 23 of the lawsuits were settled confidentially. Two grand juries declined to charge Watson criminally.
"I'm moving on with my career and my life, and I'm going to continue to stand on my innocence," Watson said at the time.
"Just because settlements and things like that happen, doesn't mean that person is guilty for anything," he said.
In 2022, the Browns traded three first-round picks for Watson and then signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, the most guaranteed money in NFL history at the time.
Despite the legal case and multiple allegations against him, Watson continued to pursue his passion for football, as evidenced by his signing with the Cleveland Browns.
In the midst of these accusations, Watson remained dedicated to his sport and career, showing a strong resolve in maintaining his innocence.
