Another of Deshaun Watson’s 23 accusers has come forward publicly to reveal her accusations of sexual misconduct against the Houston Texans quarterback.
Massage therapist Nia Lewis told YouTube personality Tasha K. about various sessions with Watson in which he allegedly harassed her and forcibly touched her against her wishes.
The NFL has been investigating Watson, 25, since March, when the first of 23 women came forward with allegations ranging from harassment and indecent exposure to sexual assault (one plaintiff has since dropped her lawsuit). Recently 10 complaints have been filed against Watson in Houston, where most of the alleged incidents took place.
‘He basically didn’t want the rest of his body massaged, he wanted his groin area massaged and his butt only,’ Lewis told Tasha K., echoing accusations from other female massage therapists against Watson. ‘He kept saying ”Do you want to put in your mouth?” It was just very very uncomfortable.’
Houston police have not announced any investigations publicly, and details about the complaints have not been revealed.
Watson previously denied any accusations of sexual misconduct when he was sued back in April and his attorney Rusty Hardin said all sexual contact between his client and the accusers was consensual.
Massage therapist Nia Lewis (right) told YouTube’s Tasha K. (left) about various sessions with Watson in which he allegedly harassed her forcibly touched her against her wishes
Another of Deshaun Watson’s accusers has come forward publicly to reveal her accusations of sexual misconduct against the Houston Texans quarterback
As she explained to Tasha K., Lewis initially became concerned about Watson when he told her to focus on his buttocks during massages.
‘The only thing that really bothered me in the first appointment was that he kept asking me to go inside his butt, and I was just so confused,’ Lewis said. ‘Normally with any of my clients, I’ll stop at the lower thigh and he kept asking me to go inside. I originally thought it was the crack and so I would go around that area and he still wasn’t satisfied. He was very adamant and was saying don’t be afraid to go inside.’
Another appointment with Watson involved him touching her without her consent.
‘The second appointment was really inappropriate, he was very touchy feely,’ Lewis continued. ‘He would act like he would accidentally brush up against my butt. It was to the point to where it came a time in the massage where I was massaging him from a distance because he kept trying to touch me.
Marginally involved in the first week of training camp, Watson didn’t participate in practice with the Houston Texans on Tuesday. Head coach David Culley said there is nothing new to report with the disgruntled quarterback, who isn’t injured but has seen his participation limited while the franchise sorts out his request to be traded. ‘We’re day to day with it,’ Culley said Tuesday. ‘The only thing that’s changed about it is we make decisions every day based on what’s best for our team and I’m going to leave it at that.’ Watson has largely participated if and when he has chosen to do so, but Culley said his approach has been ‘professional’
Marginally involved in the first week of training camp, Watson didn’t participate in practice with the Texans on Tuesday.
Head coach David Culley said there is nothing new to report with the disgruntled quarterback, who isn’t injured but has seen his participation limited while the franchise sorts out his request to be traded.
High-profile attorney Rusty Hardin (pictured) is representing Texans QB Deshaun Watson
‘We’re day to day with it,’ Culley said Tuesday. ‘The only thing that’s changed about it is we make decisions every day based on what’s best for our team and I’m going to leave it at that.’
Watson has largely participated if and when he has chosen to do so, but Culley said his approach has been ‘professional.’
On the first day of camp, Watson wore a non-contact jersey, was the final quarterback through in most passing and position-specific work and stood as a stationary scout team safety for much of the workout.
Since then, he’s toggled up or down his involvement but mostly served as a sounding board for quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the 31-year-old journeyman expected to start while the Texans seek a trade bounty — reportedly some combination of five high draft picks and starter-ready players — to move Watson.
Watson, who turns 26 next month, reported to training camp on time to avoid $50,000 daily fines.
He signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension last year but frustration from a losing 2020 season, the trade of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and not being involved in discussions surrounding the team’s decisions on a new head coach reportedly sparked Watson’s request.
Hardin told ESPN that Watson is cooperating with police and the Harris County District Attorney’s office. NFL investigators have not yet questioned Watson, although Hardin said it’s customary for leagues to stand back until law enforcement probes are finished.
‘And, when the criminal investigation is over, we’ll fully cooperate with the NFL,’ Hardin said, referring to the NFL’s ongoing investigation into the accusations against Watson.
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the 22 plaintiffs, claimed some of his clients have received threats as a result of the lawsuits
‘We’ve made it clear to the NFL that we’ll totally cooperate with them when they’re ready to visit with us,’ Hardin continued. ‘But they, out of deference to the criminal investigation, always try to wait until that’s completed before they try to talk to the accused person.’
Tony Buzbee, the Houston attorney representing Watson’s 22 accusers, responded to ESPN in a statement last week: ‘As of today, almost half of these women have given sworn statements to the police, and almost half have spoken to the NFL’s investigative team. Both processes are very lengthy. We expect to provide further information to the NFL from all victims.’
As for the civil suits, Hardin told ESPN that documents have been exchanged between the legal teams but the two sides have yet to schedule depositions for the 22 women. Depositions will begin in September, but Watson will not be deposed until February, after the upcoming season, Hardin said.
‘It is really going the normal course of all civil litigation,’ Hardin said of the depositions. ‘The dates haven’t been set as of yet, the exact dates as to who would go when. But they’ll start in September.’
The club has not commented on Watson publicly since April, when new Texans general manager Nick Caserio (left, right) said he would ‘respect the legal process.’
Hardin told ESPN that his client will not sign any settlement that includes a confidentiality agreement: ‘I do not want anybody to be saying that this guy paid off women to stay quiet and so, if there ever was a settlement of any kind, it would have to be public and therefore both sides, [Watson] and the women, would be able to say to the world at large whatever they wanted.’
Watson recently reported to training camp without the NFL placing him on the commissioner’s exempt list — an encouraging sign for his availability this season.
The NFL has been investigating Watson, 25, since March, when the first of 23 women came forward with allegations ranging from harassment and indecent exposure to sexual assault (one plaintiff has since dropped her lawsuit).
The plaintiffs, most of who work as massage therapists or in other similar professions, filed separate lawsuits as Jane Does in March and April, but have since revealed their identities following a court order.
Through Hardin, Watson has called the allegations ‘false’ and is insisting that all sexual contact between himself and the accusers was consensual. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.
The NFL had the option of placing Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list, effectively suspending him with pay as league investigation continues.
