05/20/22 02:52:00
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05/20 14:50 CDT Browns' Watson caps busy week as NFL investigation continues
Browns' Watson caps busy week as NFL investigation continues
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) --- Deshaun Watson's week included meeting with NFL
investigators and golf in the Bahamas with his new Browns teammates.
Next week he'll be back on the field, and under more public scrutiny.
Some of the women who have accused Cleveland's quarterback of sexual misconduct
during massage therapy sessions while he was with Houston have been interviewed
by HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."
Per a release from the network on Friday, "several" of the women will "detail
the alleged abuse they suffered and share their reactions to Watson's
record-breaking $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns." The show will
air on Tuesday.
Watson, who signed with the Browns in March, has denied any wrongdoing.
He's facing civil lawsuits from 22 women, who allege he behaved inappropriately
while they gave him massages. In a recent deposition that became public this
week, Watson acknowledged that one of the women was crying at the end of a
session. He said he apologized to her via text.
While Watson has not been charged with any criminal complaints --- two grand
juries in Texas declined to indict him --- he's facing possible punishment from
the NFL.
The league is trying to determine whether he violated its personal-conduct
policy. Some of the league's investigators met with Watson this week in Houston.
The timing of the interview could be a sign the league is close to completing
its inquiry into Watson's behavior. Commissioner Roger Goodell has said
multiple times there was no timeframe on when Watson could be disciplined.
Former U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson, who was jointly appointed by the
league and players' association, will review the league's findings and
determine if Watson violated the league's policy.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the AP on Friday that "the review is ongoing
and active."
Amid his ongoing legal entanglement, Watson treated more than two dozen of his
offensive teammates to a trip to the Bahamas this week for some bonding. A
video posted on his Instagram page showed Watson making a long putt while
golfing Friday.
Watson has been attending Cleveland's voluntary offseason program over the past
month, and he's expected to be at the team's training facility in Berea, Ohio,
on Monday when organized team activities resume.
Watson has not spoken to the media since his introductory news conference on
March 25, a week after the Browns convinced the three-time Pro Bowler to waive
his no-trade clause and signed him to an historic, fully guaranteed contract.
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