Deshaun Watson’s Case is a Test of What the NFL Stands For

Keenly aware that their bodies are their lifeblood, top N.F.L. players typically find no more than a few experts to give limb-loosening massages.

Having 66 massage therapists is no crime, but it is, in fact, a galaxy away from the norm.

Of the 66, some stood up for Watson, saying publicly that he did nothing wrong. But last week, two more women pressed claims in civil court, bringing the count of current accusers to 24. Some women who massaged Watson did not call a lawyer or the police after, but even they told The Times that Watson seemed to be looking for more than a relief from soreness. The sheer numbers are head-spinning, and the portrayals of Watson’s aggression and entitlement are chilling.

The woman who filed the most recent suit claimed that Watson masturbated during a massage, ending in a way that satisfied him and demeaned her.

A woman who decided not to sue or complain to the police told Vrentas that Watson made repeated requests for sex acts during the massage, including “begging” her to put her mouth on his penis.

“I specifically had to say, ‘No, I can’t do that,’” the woman said.

Watson and his well-connected legal team have continually denied any wrongdoing. They admit sex occurred on three occasions, but only after the massages, and always at the women’s instigation. “I understand the seriousness of the allegations,” Watson said at a news conference in March. “I’ve never assaulted a single woman. I’ve never disrespected any woman.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/09/sports/football/deshaun-watson-nfl.html