Deshaun Watson reportedly booked massage appointments with more than 60 different women during a 17-month period, including the 24 women who have filed lawsuits after accusing the embattled quarterback of sexual assault and sexual misconduct.
The New York Times on Tuesday reported that Watson, the former Texans signal caller who was recently traded and signed a record-breaking contract with the Browns, saw far more than just the 24 massage therapists who are suing him. From fall 2019 to spring 2021, the newspaper found that Watson saw at least 66 massage therapists — a number that includes 15 new women who told the newspaper that Watson saw them for appointments.
The other women also include 15 therapists who previously released statements of support for Watson, four who were contracted by the Texans and two women who filed criminal complaints against Watson but did not sue him.
Since the controversy surrounding Watson began, which caused him to sit out the 2021 season, it’s been known that he saw a large number of massage therapists, but The New York Times’ number is the highest and most definitive to date.
The newspaper also reported that the nondisclosure agreements that Watson offered some of the women actually came from Texans director of security Brent Naccara.
In March, when a second grand jury in Texas declined to indict Watson over an accusation of sexual misconduct, it seemed as if the worst of the controversy was behind him. But two more women have filed lawsuits since, bringing the total to 24. Watson and his lawyers have denied the allegations.
The NFL is still investigating Watson, who in March signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns, to determine whether he violated the league’s code of conduct policy.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.