_(cropped).jpg) Watson with theCleveland Browns in 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| No. 4 – Cleveland Browns | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||||||
| Roster status |  Physically unable to perform | ||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1995-09-14)September 14, 1995 (age 30) Gainesville, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 223 lb (101 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||
| High school | Gainesville | ||||||||||||||||||
| College | Clemson (2014–2016) | ||||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2017: 1st round, 12th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Derrick Deshaun Watson (born September 14, 1995) is an American professionalfootballquarterback for theCleveland Browns of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theClemson Tigers, leading the team to anational championship in2016. Watson was selected in the first round of the2017 NFL draft by theHouston Texans.
After having a productive rookie season cut short by injury, Watson guided the Texans to consecutive division titles in 2018 and 2019 and led the league in passing yards in 2020. He also receivedPro Bowl honors in each of his three seasons as Houston's primary starter. He is currently 11th in career completion percentage (minimum 1,500 attempts) and is sixth in all-timecareer passer rating.[1][2]
In 2021, Watson was sued by more than two dozen femalemassage therapists forsexual harassment andsexual assault.[3][4] Watson has denied any wrongdoing whilesettling 20 claims of sexual misconduct.[5] Disagreements with the Texans' front office, and multiple sexual-misconduct lawsuits, kept Watson out for the entire 2021 season and eventually led toa trade to the Browns in 2022. With Cleveland, Watson signed a five-year contract worth $230 million, one ofthe largest contracts in NFL history.[6][7]
Watson was born inGainesville, Georgia, on September 14, 1995, to Deann Watson and Don Richardson. He attendedGainesville High School from the fall of 2010 and played for the school's Red Elephants football team.[8] Gainesville head coach Bruce Miller had planned to start a rising junior atquarterback to execute his spread offense, but Watson won the starting spot, becoming Miller's first-ever freshman starting quarterback.[9]
During his high-school career, Watson set numerous state records, including those for total yards (17,134), totaltouchdowns (218), career passing yards (13,077) and career passing touchdowns (155).[10] He rushed for 4,057 yards and 63 touchdowns. Watson excelled in his junior year, winning a state championship and earning accolades such as JuniorAll-American, 2014 Player to Watch and 2014 Top 100 Recruit.[11] During his sophomore and senior years, Watson led Gainesville to the state semifinals.[12][13]
Watson received offers from numerous colleges before verbally committing toClemson University on February 1, 2012.[14] He was ranked as the top quarterback recruit for the 2014 class byESPN 300.[11]
Watson enrolled at Clemson in January 2014. During his high-school career, Watson had worn #4, but at Clemson, that number had been retired after quarterbackSteve Fuller graduated. However, Fuller allowed Watson to wear the number.[15] Watson entered his true freshman season as the backup to starterCole Stoudt, but still received extensive playing time.[16] Through three games, he completed 29 of 41 passes for 479 yards with four touchdowns and nointerceptions, outperforming Stoudt. Watson was named the Tigers' starter on September 21.[17][18] In Watson's first career start against theNorth Carolina Tar Heels, he set a school record with six touchdown passes and threw for 435 yards en route to a 50–35 victory.[19]
On October 11, 2014, Watson broke a bone in his right hand in the first quarter of a game against theLouisville Cardinals.[20][21] As a result of the injury, he missed games againstBoston College,Syracuse andWake Forest. He returned for a game against Georgia Tech only to suffer anLCL strain, missing most of the game.[22] He did not play againstGeorgia State the following week, but led Clemson to a victory over staterivalSouth Carolina the following week.[23] It was revealed that Watson had played the game with atorn ACL in his left knee.[24] He underwent surgery the Friday before Clemson's bowl game againstOklahoma.[25]
In 2015, Watson led Clemson to an undefeated 12–0 regular season and a #1 ranking in the polls.[26] After the regular season, the Tigers qualified for theACC Championship Game, facing off against #10North Carolina. Watson threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tigers to a 45–37 win, Clemson's first ACC championship since 2011.[27] Watson was also named the ACC Championship Game MVP.[28]
The Tigers were selected to participate in the 2016College Football Playoff as the #1 seed. They faced the #4 seedOklahoma Sooners in theOrange Bowl, one of the two College Football Playoff semifinal games. Watson threw for 189 yards and a touchdown and ran for 145 yards and a touchdown as he led Clemson to a 37–17 victory, earning game MVP honors.[29][30]
With the win, the Tigers advanced to the2016 College Football Playoff National Championship game against the #2Alabama Crimson Tide, but Clemson lost 45–40. Watson threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns in the game and ran for 73 yards in the losing effort,[31] though he surpassed the 4,000-yard passing mark.[32] He set the record for most total yards in national championship game history, with 478 yards (405 passing / 73 rushing) against the nation's best defense. In addition to throwing for over 4,000 yards, he also rushed for over 1,000 yards to complete his true sophomore season. Watson was the first player to accomplish this feat in the history of college football.[33]
For his accomplishments during the 2015 season, Watson was named a finalist for theHeisman Trophy, the first time that a Clemson player had been invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation. He finished third in the balloting after Heisman winnerDerrick Henry, an Alabama running back, and Stanford running backChristian McCaffrey.[34] Watson's third-place finish was the highest in Clemson football history. He won theDavey O'Brien Award, which is awarded annually to the top college quarterback.[35] He was also named the 2015 ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year.[36][37]
Watson started his junior season positively with 248 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a narrow 19–13 victory over theAuburn Tigers.[38] On October 1, Watson threw for 306 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions in a 42–36 victory overLouisville.[39] He totaled 378 passing yards and two touchdowns againstFlorida State on October 29, rallying to a 37–34 win.[40] AgainstSyracuse on November 5, he threw for 169 passing yards with two touchdowns but left the game with an apparent shoulder injury.[41][42] On November 26, he passed for 347 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in a 56–7 victory overSouth Carolina.[43]
In the fall of 2016, Watson became the first player sinceJason White in 2003–2004 to win the Davey O'Brien Award in consecutive years. He was also named winner of theJohnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was the first repeat winner of theManning Award.[44] For the second consecutive year, Watson was named one of the fiveHeisman Trophy candidates, along with Michigan'sJabrill Peppers, Oklahoma'sBaker Mayfield andDede Westbrook and Louisville'sLamar Jackson. He again came up short, as Louisville's Lamar Jackson was awarded the Heisman Trophy, finishing with nearly twice as many first-place votes as had Watson.[45][46]
After defeatingOhio State 31–0 in the CFP semifinal in the Fiesta Bowl and receiving the offensive MVP award, Clemson defeated No. 1Alabama 35–31 in the2017 College Football Playoff National Championship.[47] Watson completed 36 of 56 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns against the nation's top-ranked defense, including the last-second game-winning pass to wide receiverHunter Renfrow. He also rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown.[48] The win marked Clemson's second national championship, ending a three-decade national-championship drought. Watson was named the game's offensive MVP.[49]
On November 8, 2016, Watson, along with three other Clemson players,Wayne Gallman,Artavis Scott andMike Williams,[50] declared for theNFL draft.[51] In December, Watson graduated with a degree in communications after three years at Clemson.[52]
| Season | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Comp | Att | Pct | Yards | Avg | TD | Int | Rate | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | ||
| Clemson Tigers | ||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 8 | 5 | 4−1 | 93 | 137 | 67.9 | 1,466 | 10.7 | 14 | 2 | 188.6 | 63 | 200 | 3.2 | 5 | |
| 2015 | 15 | 15 | 14−1 | 333 | 491 | 67.8 | 4,109 | 8.4 | 35 | 13 | 156.3 | 207 | 1,105 | 5.3 | 12 | |
| 2016 | 15 | 15 | 14−1 | 388 | 579 | 67.0 | 4,593 | 7.9 | 41 | 17 | 151.1 | 165 | 629 | 3.8 | 9 | |
| Career | 38 | 35 | 32−3 | 814 | 1,207 | 67.4 | 10,168 | 8.4 | 90 | 32 | 157.5 | 435 | 1,934 | 4.4 | 26 | |
Watson was projected as a first-round pick by the majority of scouts and analysts. He was ranked as the top quarterback available in the draft bySports Illustrated,Pro Football Focus andESPN.[53][54][55] He was ranked the second-best quarterback by NFLDraftScout.com.[56]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Wonderlic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft2+1⁄2 in (1.89 m) | 221 lb (100 kg) | 33 in (0.84 m) | 9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) | 4.66 s | 1.53 s | 2.72 s | 4.31 s | 6.95 s | 32.5 in (0.83 m) | 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) | 20[57] | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[58][59][60][61] | ||||||||||||
TheHouston Texans drafted Watson in the first round (12th overall) of the2017 NFL draft.[62] The Texans had acquired the pick from theCleveland Browns, trading their 25th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and their first round pick in the2018 NFL draft. Houston had already traded quarterbackBrock Osweiler to Cleveland for draft picks earlier that year as part of what was widely considered the NFL's first major "salary dump." Watson was the third quarterback taken in the draft behindMitchell Trubisky, who went second overall to theChicago Bears, andPatrick Mahomes, who went tenth overall to theKansas City Chiefs.[63][64][65][66]
On May 12, 2017, the Texans signed Watson to a four-year, $13.84 million contract featuring an $8.21 million signing bonus.[67] Watson made his first regular-season appearance on September 10, 2017, against theJacksonville Jaguars. He entered the game afterTom Savage was benched at halftime and played for the remainder of the game. In the third quarter, he threw his first NFL touchdown, a four-yard pass to wide receiverDeAndre Hopkins. He finished with 102 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception as the Texans lost 29–7.[68][69]
Watson made his first career start on September 14, his 22nd birthday, in an away game against theCincinnati Bengals. He finished with 125 passing yards, 67 rushing yards and a 49-yard rushing touchdown as the Texans won 13–9.[70] In Week 4 against theTennessee Titans, he completed 25 of 34 passes for 283 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception while also rushing for 24 yards and a touchdown as the Texans won 57–14. His five total scores tied the NFL rookie touchdown record.[71] He also became the first rookie to pass for at least four touchdowns and rush for one touchdown in a game since Hall of FamerFran Tarkenton in1961.[72] His performance earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.[73] Watson followed up his Week 4 performance with another great outing against theKansas City Chiefs. In the 42–34 loss, Watson finished 16-of-31 for 261 yards and five touchdown passes, tying an NFL rookie record for touchdown passes thrown in a single game. He also rushed for 31 yards.[74] In Week 8 against theSeattle Seahawks, Watson posted his first game with over 400 passing yards. He finished with 402 passing yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and 67 rushing yards, though the Texans lost 41–38. Watson threw 16 touchdowns in the month of October, setting the NFL record for touchdown passes by a rookie in a calendar month. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.[75]
On November 2, Watson tore his ACL on a non-contact play during practice, prematurely ending his rookie season.[76] In seven games (six starts) during his rookie year, Watson amassed 1,699 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions while rushing for 269 yards and two touchdowns.[77][78] On November 8, Watson underwent successful surgery on his right knee to repair his ACL, and no further damage was reported.[79] Watson was ranked 50th by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2018 list.[80] He was named to thePFWA All-Rookie Team, becoming the second Texans quarterback to receive the award sinceDavid Carr had done so in 2002.[81]
In the season opener on September 9 against theNew England Patriots, Watson returned from injury and threw for 176 yards with a touchdown and an interception and rushed for 40 yards as the Texans lost 27–20.[82] After suffering broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung, Watson took a 12-hour bus ride from Houston to Jacksonville for a Week 7 game against the Jaguars rather than flying because of fears about the effects of air pressure on his chest.[83] He passed for 139 yards and a touchdown in the 20–7 victory.[84] The next week, Watson tied his career high with five touchdowns in a 42–23 victory over theMiami Dolphins.[85]
Watson finished the regular season with a career-high 4,165 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 551 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns, as Houston went 11–5 and won theAFC South title.[86] Watson led the league in average time spent in the pocket and was second in average time before throwing.[87] Watson faced the most dropbacks under pressure (281) and tied for the fifth-most times sacked in a single season with 62.[88]
In Watson's first postseason appearance, the Texans hosted theIndianapolis Colts in theWild Card round. Watson completed 29 of 49 passes for 235 yards as the Texans lost 21–7.[89]
On January 21, 2019, Watson was named to his first Pro Bowl, replacing the Super Bowl-boundTom Brady.[90] He was ranked 51st by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2019 list.[91]
In the season opener against theNew Orleans Saints, Watson completed 20 of 30 passes for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception while also rushing for 40 yards and a touchdown as the Texans lost 28–30.[92][93] In a Week 3 27–20 road victory against theLos Angeles Chargers, he threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns, including a 53-yard touchdown to tight endJordan Akins. Watson was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[94][95] Two weeks later against theAtlanta Falcons, Watson threw for 426 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions for aperfect passer rating in a 53–32 victory, earning him his second AFC Offensive Player of the Week award.[96][97] In the next game against the Chiefs, Watson threw for 280 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. He also rushed 10 times for 42 yards and two touchdowns in the 31–24 road victory.[98] During Week 8 against theOakland Raiders, he threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in a 27–24 victory.[99] During a play near the end of the fourth quarter, Watson was kicked in the eye by defensive endArden Key's cleat while escaping a sack but managed to blindly throw a touchdown pass to tight endDarren Fells.[100] During Week 13 against the Patriots, he threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns and caught a six-yard touchdown pass from wide receiverDeAndre Hopkins in a 28–22 victory[101] en route to his third AFC Offensive Player of the Week award of the season.[102] Watson helped lead the Texans to a 10–6 record and an AFC South title.[103] He finished the season with 3,852 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions along with 413 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.[104]
In theWild Card Round against theBuffalo Bills, Watson led the Texans back from a 16–0 deficit to win 22–19 in overtime, his first NFL playoff victory, despite being sacked seven times. He sealed the game by spinning out of a potential sack by two Bills defenders and findingTaiwan Jones, who ran to the Buffalo 10-yard line to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime.[105] He finished the game with 247 passing yards and a touchdown along with 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.[106]In the divisional round against the Chiefs, Watson threw for 388 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown as the Texans lost on the road 51–31 after having blown a 24–0 second-quarter lead.[107]
On April 28, 2020, the Texans exercised the fifth-year option on Watson's contract.[108] On September 5, Watson signed a four-year, $177.5 million contract extension with $111 million in guarantees, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season.[109]This marked the second-most lucrative contract in NFL history after that ofAaron Rodgers.[110]
In the Week 1NFL Kickoff Game against the Chiefs, Watson threw for 253 yards, one touchdown and one interception and rushed for 27 yards and a touchdown during a 34–20 loss.[111] In Week 4 against theMinnesota Vikings, Watson threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns as the Texans lost 23–31.[112] In Week 11 against the Patriots, Watson threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 36 yards and another touchdown during a 27–20 win, earning the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award.[113][114] In Week 12, a 41–25 win over theDetroit Lions, Watson passed for 318 yards and four passing touchdowns.[115] With his Week 12 performance, Watson briefly became the NFL's all-time regular-seasoncareer passer-rating leader before being surpassed five days later byPatrick Mahomes.[116]
Watson was fined $7,500 by the Texans in December 2020 for violating the league'sCOVID-19 protocols after he and several teammates gathered at the opening of his new restaurant without wearingface masks.[117] Watson finished the season with a pair of three-touchdown performances against the Bengals in Week 16[118] and the Titans in Week 18, but Houston lost both games.[119]
In spite of the team's 4–12 record, Watson finished the 2020 season with a league-leading 4,823 passing yards, as well as 33 touchdowns to only seven interceptions.[120] His season was, by all major statistical measures, the best in franchise history, leading in passing touchdowns, passing yards and passer rating.[121] He became the first player to lead the league in passing yards on a team with at least 12 losses sinceJeff George of theOakland Raiders in 1997.[122]
Following the 2020 season, Watson requested a trade by the Texans after becoming disgruntled with changes in the front office and coaching staff.[123] The Texans were not willing to negotiate with other teams regarding trade offers, leading to a standoff with Watson until the emergence of sexual-harassment allegations. Despite the off-field controversies and Watson's situation with the team, he participated in OTA activities and training camp, albeit on a limited basis.[124] Watson was named to the Texans' 53-man roster to start the season along with free-agent signingTyrod Taylor and rookieDavis Mills. Texans general managerNick Caserio stated that he would handle Watson's situation "one day at a time."[125]
Despite not being officially suspended or placed on any reserve list, Watson was ruled out for every Texans game played in 2021 for "non-injury reasons/personal matter."[126]
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On March 18, 2022, Watson and the Texans' 2024 sixth-round draft pickwere traded to the Browns in exchange for the Browns' first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as the Browns' third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024.[127][128] As part of the trade, Watson signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns, making it the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history at the time of the signing.[129] The fact the contract was fully guaranteed later led to a collusion scandal involving the league and theNFL Players Association that was made public in July 2025, and later led to the resignations of NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell and chief strategy officer J.C. Tretter a few days afterward.[130][131][132]
As a result of his sexual harassment allegations, Watson was suspended for six regular season games to start the 2022 season by arbiterSue Lewis Robinson.[133] He was allowed to participate in preseason activities, including preseason games.[134] Two days later the NFL filed an appeal of the suspension, seeking to extend the suspension to at least a full season (17 regular season games), as well as seeking a fine and establishing a clause in which Watson would seek treatment for his conduct.[135]NFL CommissionerRoger Goodell confirmed that the NFL would seek a full-year suspension including the postseason, calling Watson's conduct "egregious" and "predatory behavior".[136] The appeal was reviewed by formerNew Jersey Attorney GeneralPeter C. Harvey.[137][138]
On August 18, 2022, after the NFL and the NFLPA reached a settlement, Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 regular season and was fined $5 million.[139]
On November 28, 2022, Watson was reinstated from his suspension and was officially added to the 53-man roster.[140] In Week 13, Watson started against his former team, the Texans. In his first game in 700 days, Watson posted the worstpasser rating of his NFL career at 53.4, throwing for 131 yards and one interception in the 27–14 win.[141] Watson finished the 2022 season with a 3–3 record as starting quarterback, with 1,102 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions as he closed out the last six games of the season.[142] The Browns finished with a 7–10 record, and Watson's passer rating of 79.1 for the season was the lowest of his career.[143]
In week 10 against theBaltimore Ravens, Watson suffered a displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right shoulder during the first half, but he was able to finish the game. Three days later, on November 15, the Browns announced that Watson would undergo season-ending surgery to repair a broken bone in his throwing shoulder.[144] Watson finished the season starting in six games, finishing with seven touchdowns and four interceptions and 1,115 passing yards.[145] Watson underwent surgery on November 21, with the expectation to be fully recovered before the2024 NFL season.[146]
In Week 1 against the Cowboys, Watson threw for 169 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and was sacked six times in a 33–17 loss.[147] Watson was also 0-for-10 on passes thrown 15+ yards downfield, becoming the first quarterback to have 10+ passes thrown 15 or more yards downfield with zero completions sinceSportradar began tracking air yards in 2006.[148] Through five games, Watson posted a league-low 23.9 totalQBR and failed to achieve over 200 passing yards in a game as the Browns dropped to 1–4. Despite the struggles, head coachKevin Stefanski stated that Watson would continue to start for Cleveland.[149] On October 20, during the Browns' Week 7 matchup against theCincinnati Bengals, Watson was carted off the field after suffering a non-contact leg injury.[150] The following day, it was confirmed to be anAchilles tear, which forced him to miss the rest of the 2024 season.[151] Watson underwent Achilles surgery on October 25.[152] With Watson at quarterback, the Browns went 1–6 and ranked last in the NFL with 253.9 yards of offense per game.[153]
On January 9, 2025, Watson underwent surgery after he suffered a re-rupture to his right Achilles tendon, potentially keeping him out for the entire 2025 season.[154]
On March 16, 2021, a Houston massage therapist filed a civil lawsuit delivered by attorneyTony Buzbee against Watson, claiming that Watson had touched her with the tip of his erect penis while asking her for sex during a visit to her home for treatment in March 2020. Watson vehemently denied Buzbee's claims, stating that "I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect." According to the suit, the massage therapist immediately ended the session and cried after the incident. Two additional NFL players contacted the massage therapist several weeks later on Watson's recommendation. The suit also claims that Watson later reached out to the massage therapist and apologized for his actions.[155]
The next day, another massage therapist represented by Buzbee claimed that Watson had met her at theHoustonian Hotel in August 2020 and completely undressed and refused to cover up, directing her to massage his anus and penis and making a movement that caused her to touch his penis. The therapist also claims that Watson had only paid half of the charges due for her services.[156]
On March 18, a third civil lawsuit was filed against Watson, alleging that he had forced a massage therapist to performoral sex on him before she blacked out in an office building in December 2020. The therapist claims that after Watson left, she was shaken and defecated on herself. Also, on March 18, the NFL announced that it would investigate the sexual assault allegations made against Watson.[157]
On March 19, Buzbee claimed that nine more civil suits had been filed against Watson (for a total of 12) and that 22 women contacted his office regarding Watson's conduct while receiving massages. Buzbee requested that theHouston Police Department and theHarris County, Texas, district attorney investigate the situation and pursue criminal charges against Watson. One of the nine new civil suits alleges that Watson attempted to kiss a woman forcibly, and another suit alleges that he had attempted to assault the same woman on two separate occasions.[158]
On March 22, a 14th lawsuit was filed by a woman who called Watson a "serial predator". The incident allegedly occurred in California, just the second of the 14 allegations to occur outside the Houston area. The traveling massage therapist alleged that when she arrived at the address that Watson had provided, he led her to a room and "locked the doors behind him". After Watson allegedly "forced Plaintiff's hand onto his penis" during the massage, he allegedly told her, "I will not have you sign anNDA, but don't ever talk about this." The plaintiff also alleges that Watson reached out on Instagram in December, "acting as if nothing had happened".[159]
By April 5, 22 lawsuits were filed against Watson.[160] 18 professional massage therapists have since expressed support of his character, saying that the allegations contradict their experiences with Watson.[161]
Tony Buzbee has stated that he was hesitant to send evidence to the Houston Police Department because Watson's lawyerRusty Hardin has a son in the police force, instead alleging to send evidence from his clients "elsewhere" while also criticizing outgoing HPD chiefArt Acevedo.[162] Hardin and Acevedo have since criticized Buzbee's statements, with Hardin saying that he and his client would "always remain available to any law enforcement or regulatory agency who desires our cooperation".[163][164] On April 2, the HPD announced an investigation of Watson after a complainant filed an official report.[165]
On April 6, two of the 22 women who had filed lawsuits against Watson publicly identified themselves at a press conference.[165] Ashley Solis, the first of the women to identify herself, claimed that during a massage appointment at her home, Watson exposed himself and touched her hand with his erect penis before she ended the session and asked him to leave. At a press conference, Solis said that she suffers frompanic attacks, anxiety and depression resulting from the sexual assault. She stated: "People say that I'm doing this just for money. That is false. I come forward now so that Deshaun Watson does not assault another woman."[166]
On April 9, Hardin claimed that some of Watson's massages did lead to some "sexual activity" but that it was consensual.[167] That same day, two judges ruled that 13 of the 22 lawsuits must be refiled within two business days or risk dismissal and that four of the accusers must refile using their current names. Attorneys announced that 9 of the 12 women would reveal their names voluntarily. The judge granted Watson's attorneys' emergency motion requiring the release of the other accusers' names.[168][169][170]
On September 9, 2024, Watson was sued for sexual assault and battery by a new accuser in Houston, who alleged that Watson penetrated her vagina without consent in several positions during a date in 2020.[171]
On April 7, 2021,Nike andBeats by Dre suspended endorsement deals with Watson.Reliant Energy andH-E-B stated that they did not plan on engaging with Watson in the future.[172]
On March 11, 2022, agrand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges related to "harassment and sexual misconduct". On that date he still faced 22civil lawsuits, many alleging sexual misconduct, and assault.[173] As of August 1, 2022, all but one of the pending civil cases had beensettled.[174]
As a result of these accusations, the NFL announced on August 18, 2022, that Watson would be suspended for 11 games, pay a record $5 million fine, undergo evaluation by behavioral experts, and complete a treatment program. His fine and an additional $2 million will be donated to agencies that work to prevent sexual assault.[175]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2017 | HOU | 7 | 6 | 3–3 | 126 | 204 | 61.8 | 1,699 | 8.3 | 72 | 19 | 8 | 103.0 | 36 | 269 | 7.5 | 49 | 2 | 19 | 116 | 3 | 1 |
| 2018 | HOU | 16 | 16 | 11–5 | 345 | 505 | 68.3 | 4,165 | 8.2 | 73 | 26 | 9 | 103.1 | 99 | 551 | 5.6 | 34 | 5 | 62 | 384 | 9 | 3 |
| 2019 | HOU | 15 | 15 | 10–5 | 333 | 495 | 67.3 | 3,852 | 7.8 | 54 | 26 | 12 | 98.0 | 82 | 413 | 5.0 | 30 | 7 | 44 | 257 | 10 | 3 |
| 2020 | HOU | 16 | 16 | 4–12 | 382 | 544 | 70.2 | 4,823 | 8.9 | 77 | 33 | 7 | 112.4 | 90 | 444 | 4.9 | 16 | 3 | 49 | 293 | 8 | 3 |
| 2021 | HOU | 0 | 0 | — | DNP | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | CLE | 6 | 6 | 3–3 | 99 | 170 | 58.2 | 1,102 | 6.5 | 46 | 7 | 5 | 79.1 | 36 | 175 | 4.9 | 21 | 1 | 20 | 106 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | CLE | 6 | 6 | 5–1 | 105 | 171 | 61.4 | 1,115 | 6.5 | 59 | 7 | 4 | 84.3 | 26 | 142 | 5.5 | 16 | 1 | 17 | 85 | 5 | 2 |
| 2024 | CLE | 7 | 7 | 1–6 | 137 | 216 | 63.4 | 1,148 | 5.3 | 35 | 5 | 3 | 79.0 | 31 | 148 | 4.8 | 16 | 1 | 33 | 191 | 5 | 3 |
| Career | 73 | 72 | 37–35 | 1,527 | 2,305 | 66.2 | 17,904 | 7.8 | 77 | 123 | 48 | 98.8 | 400 | 2,142 | 5.4 | 49 | 20 | 244 | 1,432 | 41 | 15 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2018 | HOU | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 29 | 49 | 59.2 | 235 | 4.8 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 69.7 | 8 | 76 | 9.5 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | HOU | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 51 | 77 | 66.2 | 635 | 8.2 | 54 | 3 | 0 | 104.6 | 20 | 92 | 4.6 | 20 | 2 | 11 | 54 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | CLE | 0 | 0 | — | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||||||||
| Career | 3 | 3 | 1–2 | 80 | 126 | 63.5 | 870 | 6.9 | 54 | 4 | 1 | 91.0 | 28 | 168 | 6.0 | 21 | 2 | 14 | 72 | 1 | 0 | |
Watson is aChristian.[183][184] In 2006, when Watson was 11,Atlanta Falcons running backWarrick Dunn donated a home to Watson's family through Dunn's charity Homes for the Holidays, in partnership withHabitat for Humanity.[185] In 2017, Watson donated his first NFL game check of approximately $27,000 to threeNRG Stadium cafeteria employees affected byHurricane Harvey.[186][187]
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