Nike temporarily severed its ties to Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on Wednesday amid more than 20 complaints of sexual assault or harassment.
Twenty-two women made allegations in separate civil lawsuits against the star quarterback. The Houston Police Department is investigating one of the claims after a complainant filed a report earlier in April, although Watson maintains his innocence.
HOUSTON POLICE INVESTIGATING TEXANS QUARTERBACK AMID MORE THAN 20 CIVIL SUITS
“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” a Nike spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.
Beats By Dre also ended its endorsement deal with Watson, according to ESPN.
The first accuser to identify herself publicly was Ashley Solis. Solis, who spoke to the media for the first time Tuesday, was a masseuse in the Houston area but said she “no longer practice[s]” following an alleged incident with Watson in March 2020.
“I am a survivor of assault and harassment. Deshaun Watson is my assaulter and my harasser, he assaulted me at my home doing what I love most, massage therapy,” she said. “I can no longer practice the profession I love the most without shaking. … I hope he knew how heartbreaking that is to me.”
Another woman, Lauren Baxley, who said she is a therapist, wrote a letter that was read aloud at the press conference, but she did not appear in person.
“I have been angry at you for so many reasons since that day in June,” Baxley wrote. “I am furious that the talented and hard-working young black man that gave so many children inspiration is nothing more than a predator with power. I am heartbroken for your family, for your loved ones, for those coming to terms with the fact that your charitable work and good-guy persona are nothing more than a meticulously designed facade to keep your victims silent and second-guessing themselves.”
Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, responded to the press conference saying that Anthony Buzbee’s firm “sought $100,000 in hush money on behalf of Ms. Solis to quietly settle the allegations the month before he filed the first lawsuit,” according to ESPN.
He previously said that he and his client will “fully cooperate” with the Houston Police Department’s investigation.
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“We welcome this long-overdue development,” Hardin added. “Now, we will learn the identity of at least one accuser. We will fully cooperate with the Houston Police Department.”
All of the civil complaints were filed by the same lawyer, Buzbee.
