HOUSTON – Disgruntled Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is being sued by a massage therapist claiming the NFL star assaulted her by “touching her with his penis” during a session.
The masseuse, identified as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit, is represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, a failed mayoral candidate who announced the lawsuit on social media yesterday.
“Today we filed suit against Deshaun Watson,” Buzbee said on Facebook. “Too many times women have put up with behavior that we all know no one should put up with.”
Watson responded on Twitter, saying that he had not seen Buzbee’s complaint, but knows that he has “never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect.”
“The plaintiff’s lawyer (Buzbee) claims that this isn’t about money, but before filing suit he made a baseless six-figure settlement demand, which I quickly rejected,” Watson’s post reads. “Unlike him, this isn’t about money for me – it’s about clearing my name, and I look forward to doing that.”
From having a date ruin expensive artwork to receiving lap dances during a Hurricane Harvey relief party, The Record has frequently reported on Buzbee’s exploits in and out of the court throughout the years.
According to the lawsuit, Doe is a licensed massage therapist who works from home. Last March, Watson solicited her for a massage at her house, during which he allegedly assaulted her and threatened her livelihood if she didn’t keep quiet.
Doe markets her business through Instagram and claims Watson contacted her via a direct message.
“Plaintiff found it somewhat peculiar that a NFL player would request a massage from her … because it was her belief that a player like Watson likely had access to an entire team of trainers,” the suit states. “However, at the same time … Plaintiff was excited that a local professional football player would seek her services.”
Doe claims that before the massage began Watson asked her if she was going to be alone at the house, which gave her pause. During the massage, Watson was naked except for a small towel covering his groin area and began to “aggressively dictate how he wanted the massage to be performed.”
“Watson emphasized to Plaintiff that she not use her knuckles or elbows during the massage,” the suit states. “Instead, Watson told Plaintiff she was only to use her hands. And, Watson repeatedly stated that he wanted her to focus to be on his groin.
“It became apparent that Watson wanted a massage for only one reason – sex.”
At one point during the massage, Doe claims Watson purposely exposed the tip of his penis.
“Watson was at this point fully erect, and moved his body so he could expose himself more,” the suit states. “As a result of his moving of his hips, Watson purposely touched Plaintiff’s hand with the tip of his erect penis.”
Scared and crying, Doe claims Watson threatened her career when she asked him to leave. A few weeks later, Doe says two other NFL players reached out to her saying that she had been recommended by “Big D.”
Doe is accusing Watson of intentional infliction of emotional distress and is suing him for her mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life.