Some new information on the long-running Deshaun Watson scandal came to light this week when Josina Anderson of CBS Sports broke the story in a series of tweets, which suggested that there was a recording of the son of one of his accusers.
He admitted that his mother had altered her story only after allegations began to surface.
Anderson tweeted:
“I’m told there’s a recording of an interview with the adult son of 1 of 12 women the NFL interviewed in the Deshaun Watson case — stating his mom initially was complimentary of Watson in their conversations after the massage, but later switched her account and tone after negative allegations surfaced about Watson”
Anderson continued:
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“The son intimated his mother intended to reward his silence, per league source. There’s a feeling that the NFL was initially cagey about details they learned from the woman’s son — after only mentioning they interviewed him in their report.”
Tony Buzbee, the high-profile attorney at the center of the twenty-four lawsuits, would soon speak out and deny that the woman mentioned by Anderson was one of his clients.
“It has been reported that twelve alleged victims spoke to the NFL. I have confirmed that ten of those women were my clients. None of my clients had a son questioned by the NFL. As I’ve said, there were several women who called my office wanting to sue DW that I decided, based on my trial experience, not to represent.”
Watson has been accused by massage therapists of harassing, assaulting or touching them during appointments when he was playing for the Houston Texans.
Last month, Watson reached an agreement to settle 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits that had been filed by women who accused him of sexual assault and harassment.
“Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson, with the exception of four, have settled. We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements,” Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing all 24 women, said in a statement. “Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed. The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential. We won’t comment further on the settlements or those cases.”
In March, two separate Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints stemming from the allegations. The Texans wasted little time trading him to the Cleveland Browns.
“I never assaulted anyone,” Watson said in his first public comments since being introduced by the Browns in March. “I never harassed anyone or I never disrespected anyone. I never forced anyone to do anything.”
Cleveland signed Watson to a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract in March.
