Deshaun Watson

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Lore & Background

The 2020 season was the Texans' final season with Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback, as he would sit out the next season amidst sexual misconduct allegations as well as his own request to be traded over conflicts within coaching changes. Watson's final game as a Texan was on January 3, 2021, a 38–41 loss to the Tennessee Titans. On March 16, 2021, a Houston massage therapist filed a civil lawsuit delivered by attorney Tony Buzbee against then-Texans' quarterback Deshaun 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.' Over the next few days, several more civil lawsuits were filed against Watson by further massage therapists represented by Buzbee accusing him of being a 'serial predator', with allegations including Watson directing victims to massage his anus and penis and forcing them to touch it, forcing a victim to perform oral sex on him, attempting to forcibly kiss a victim, locking doors behind victims to force sexual assault, and telling therapists to keep quiet about what happened. By April 5, 2021, 22 lawsuits had been filed against Watson, though 18 professional massage therapists have since expressed support of his character, saying that the allegations contradict their experiences with Watson. On April 7, 2021, Nike and Beats By Dre suspended endorsement deals with Watson. Reliant Energy and H-E-B stated that they did not plan on engaging with Watson in the future. These legal challenges led to Watson's absence from the field for the entire 2021 season, during which he remained with the Houston Texans but did not participate in any games. The situation was further complicated by Watson's simultaneous request for a trade from the team. On March 11, 2022, a grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges related to 'harassment and sexual misconduct'. On that date he still faced 22 civil lawsuits, many alleging sexual misconduct and assault. After two more accusers joined the lawsuit in June 2022, Watson settled 23 of the 24 lawsuits in July and August. On August 1, as a result of these allegations, Watson was suspended for six regular season games to start the 2022 season by NFL disciplinary officer Sue Lewis Robinson. Two days later, the NFL appealed the suspension, seeking to extend the suspension to at least a full season as well as seeking a fine and establishing a requirement for Watson to seek treatment for his conduct. The appeal was reviewed by former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey. On August 18, after the NFL and the NFLPA reached a settlement, Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the season and was fined $5 million.

In Their Own Story

The 2020 season was the Texans' final season with Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback, as he would sit out the next season amidst sexual misconduct allegations as well as his own request to be traded over conflicts within coaching changes. Watson's final game as a Texan was on January 3, 2021, a 38–41 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Reader's Guide

Deshaun Watson's time with the Houston Texans (2017–2020) is defined by his on-field production and the off-field legal turmoil that ended his tenure. His peak came in 2020 when he led the league in passing yards with 4,823 yards despite the Texans' 4-12 record, and posted the 3rd best touchdown-to-interception ratio at 33:7 and the 2nd highest passer rating in the NFL at 112.4, trailing only MVP Aaron Rodgers. Watson was known for his proficiency as a dual-threat quarterback (though he disliked the term due to its perceived stereotyping of black quarterbacks), and his 43% completion rate on passes of 20+ air yards was the 6th best in the NFL at the time. His tenure included two consecutive AFC South titles in 2018 and 2019. However, his final season was 2020; he sat out the 2021 season amid sexual misconduct allegations and a trade request. The legal situation began on March 16, 2021, with a civil lawsuit filed by attorney Tony Buzbee, and by April 5, 2021, 22 lawsuits had been filed. Watson denied the claims, stating 'I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect.' 18 professional massage therapists expressed support of his character, saying the allegations contradict their experiences. On March 11, 2022, a grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges. He settled 23 of 24 lawsuits in July and August 2022. He was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined $5 million.

Did You Know?

• Watson led the league in passing yards in 2020 with 4,823 yards despite the Texans' 4-12 record.
• In 2020, Watson had the 3rd best touchdown-to-interception ratio at 33:7 and the 2nd highest passer rating in the NFL at 112.4, trailing only MVP Aaron Rodgers.
• Watson's 43% completion rate on passes of 20+ air yards was the 6th best in the NFL at the time.
• Watson's final game as a Texan was on January 3, 2021, a 38–41 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
• 18 professional massage therapists expressed support of Watson's character, saying the allegations contradict their experiences with him.