Tag: investigation

Categories
NFL News

After Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans was named to the NFL’s Top 100 Players list, the league released an unsettling video.

Before to the 2021 season, the NFL is in the midst of releasing its Top 100 players list.
Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Houston Texans, is highlighted extensively for the second year in a row.
According to the league’s announcement on Sunday afternoon, Watson is rated 18th.
Many people were perplexed by the accolade.
In 22 civil lawsuits and ten criminal complaints, Watson has been accused of sexual misconduct and assault.
So why is Watson listed among the NFL’s top 100 players?
It wasn’t the NFL’s decision, to be sure.
The players, not the league or NFL Network, vote on the annual Top 100.
For the fourth year in a row, the players chose Watson, who led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards last season.
His career-high ranking of 18 is the highest of his career.
MORE: What you need to know about Deshaun Watson’s lawsuits That said, the NFL was clearly not pleased with Watson’s inclusion on the list, or at the very least, it didn’t congratulate him on his accomplishment.
Instead, the league created an extremely unsettling video to go along with the award.
It opened with this comment from the narrator: “Nobody knows when Deshaun Watson will take the field again.” It had zero player interviews, which are usually a hallmark of the rankings.
His future is in doubt.
But his talent is undeniable.” See the entire 87-second video on the NFL’s YouTube channel.
It’s impossible to hold the NFL responsible for the video, but given the claims against Watson, it’s worth considering why it was made at all.
The league could have simply confirmed his inclusion on the list and went on with its business.
The NFL has yet to decide whether or not to sanction Watson for breaching the league’s personal conduct rules, and a decision is unlikely to be made anytime soon.
Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, stated that the league has not yet contacted Watson or his legal counsel.
According to Yahoo Sports, “the NFL frequently tries to avoid contacting the defendant and his lawyers and seeking evidence from them until the criminal investigation is completed.”
“Historically, they’ve wanted to avoid interfering with criminal investigations.”
When the criminal inquiry is over, they will proceed with their own separate follow-up.
I’ve had no interaction with the NFL other than a phone call to say, ‘When the time is right, we will completely comply.’
‘You let us know,’ and that is exactly what will happen.”

Categories
NFL News

Plaintiffs in the Deshaun Watson case slam the NFL’s inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Dec 13, 2020; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Houston Texans, is the subject of an NFL investigation as he faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging various acts of sexual assault, and two of his plaintiffs have gone public with their stories.
Licensed massage therapists Ashley Solis and Lauren Baxley come up about Watson’s alleged misbehavior in detail in Jenny Vrentas’ Sports Illustrated cover story on Friday, and were scathing of how the NFL is handling its investigation.
Baxley’s depiction of her interactions with NFL personal conduct investigators Lisa Friel and Jennifer Gaffney paints a negative picture of the league.
As compared to the Houston Police Department, Baxley believes they fell short in their questioning: “My forensic interview [with HPD] was highly polite and trauma-informed.”
They let me talk without interruption, whereas Lisa Friel and the [other NFL investigator] cut me off, questioned things, and circled around.
[…] Attempting to catch me off guard
They didn’t, but they were seeking for flaws that they could exploit.” As for Solis, she was enraged that one of the things the NFL asked her regarding her massage sessions with Watson was about her clothes.
The inference was that Solis was dressed provocatively, but Vrentas cut to the chase with Solis’ genuine response: “I wear what I always wear when I massage: yoga pants and a T-shirt.” Solis also claimed that the league was “taking a statement” against women and sexual assault survivors by allowing Watson to participate in Texans practices.
“Watson is entitled to a fair trial.”
But, the NFL and Roger Goodell have let me down.
“And by choosing inaction, they have failed the other women,” Solis continued.
Both Solis and Baxley have faced various sorts of trauma and heckling since coming forward publicly.
Solis said her private studio apartment was broken into not long after she first went forward with her charges against Watson at a news conference in April, and Baxley’s therapist diagnosed her with complex PTSD.
Although Watson reported to the Texans training camp to avoid being penalized, it was more to avoid being fined than to actually participate.
Watson requested a trade out of Houston prior to the flood of allegations brought against him, but his career remains in jeopardy until the NFL conducts its investigation.

Categories
NFL News

As the investigation into Deshaun Watson continues, the NFL says there are no limits on him.

The NFL announced in a statement to The Athletic on Tuesday that quarterback Deshaun Watson’s involvement in Houston Texans activities is currently “unrestricted,” while the league continues to examine sexual assault and misconduct allegations against him.
“The NFL’s investigation into the severe allegations leveled against Deshaun Watson is still continuing and active,” according to the statement.
The NFL has not been given access to meet with many of the plaintiffs in the 22 civil complaints filed against Watson, or to relevant third parties, according to a league source.
The league also lacks access to evidence acquired by authorities as part of their ongoing criminal investigation.
On Monday, a spokeswoman for Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, confirmed to The Athletic that ten women had made police complaints against Watson.
According to the spokeswoman, eight of the women are among the 22 women who have filed legal complaints against him.
Watson has not been sued civilly by two women who filed complaints with Houston police.
The Houston Police Department stated that an investigation is underway, but would to say how many people had filed complaints.
Watson has refuted all charges through his counsel.
Watson reported to Texans training camp on Sunday, despite a source told The Athletic on Sunday that he has still requested a trade.
Houston will start practicing on Wednesday.
Watson is still being investigated by the NFL for a possible violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
The league has not indicated when they might talk to Watson, according to a representative for Hardin’s office.
Watson could still be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list if no criminal charges are filed, depending on the outcome of the NFL’s own investigation.

Categories
NFL News

As the investigation is underway, the NFL says Deshaun Watson is not restricted from training camp with the Houston Texans.

Despite the 22 active civil cases filed against Deshaun Watson, the NFL has “no limits” on the quarterback’s involvement in club activities, according to a statement released Tuesday by the league.
On Wednesday, the Houston Texans will have their first training camp session.
The first of 23 lawsuits against Watson was filed in April.
Watson is currently facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault or sexually inappropriate behavior during massage sessions.
“The NFL’s investigation into the serious allegations against Deshaun Watson is still ongoing,” the league said in a statement.
“We’re collaborating with the Houston Police Department to make sure the NFL’s investigation doesn’t interfere with theirs.”
“We will make appropriate actions in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Personal Conduct Policy as we continue to acquire new information and monitor law enforcement developments.”
“At this point, Watson’s involvement in club activities remains unrestricted.” According to a league source, the NFL has been denied access to speak with several of the plaintiffs who filed the civil complaints, as well as third parties who may have pertinent information.
The NFL has also been denied access to evidence acquired by authorities throughout their inquiry.
Two of the ten women who have filed complaints with Houston police have not filed lawsuits against Watson, according to Rusty Hardin of ESPN.
On the active roster, the Texans have three quarterbacks: Tyrod Taylor, rookie Davis Mills, and Jeff Driskel.