In a piece published Friday by Sports Illustrated, two women expressed their displeasure with some of the tactics used by NFL investigators during their interviews with them over their interaction with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Ashley Solis told SI that NFL investigators asked her what she was wearing while working with Watson, which “honestly pissed me off.” In her lawsuit, Solis detailed incidences of Watson’s sexual misbehavior, including his putting his penis in her palm.
“She said that that’s something she has to ask,” Solis told SI. “I don’t believe it at all.”
Former prosecutors Lisa Friel and Jennifer Gaffney, who now lead the NFL’s personal-conduct policy investigators, were the ones who spoke with Solis, Lauren Baxley, and the other eight women who have filed a lawsuit against Watson.
Watson has disputed the claims through his attorney, Rusty Hardin.
According to Baxley, the NFL investigators’ approach of questioning was “patronizing” and “victim-blaming.”
She described her interview with the Houston Police Department as “extremely respectful and trauma-informed.” Solis and Baxley were both implicated in the case at a news conference in April.
SI stated they agreed to an interview last week, despite Watson’s continued presence on the Texans’ roster.
Watson has donned the team’s uniform, but has yet to participate in any of the team’s sessions.
His participation in the league is said to be “unrestricted.”
He is still subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy, which permits commissioner Roger Goodell to intervene and potentially penalize players who break the league’s standards even if no official criminal charges have been brought.
Buzbee told SI that Solis and Baxley wanted to speak with the NFL because they wanted to hear “unfiltered testimonies directly from them.” He also stated that after his first three clients were interviewed, he was there for the fourth to “re-set the tone,” and that further interviews have gone better, SI reported.
According to ESPN’s Kimberley A. Smith, the NFL
The NFL said the evaluation of the “serious allegations” against Watson “remains ongoing and active,” adding that “we are working constructively with the Houston Police Department and ensuring that the NFL’s probe does not interfere with their investigation.” Martin said on Friday that “no change to [Watson’s] status as the investigations by the Houston Police Department and the league continue.”
