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"We will be scheduling a meeting with the NFL
and hope that can be accomplished in the next two weeks,"
attorney Tony Buzbee wrote in an email to ESPN. "We have a video
and two additional witnesses for the NFL to speak with. I've
personally never had confidence in the NFL's disciplinary
process but my client has chosen to engage it."
Buzbee represented two dozen other women who filed sexual
misconduct lawsuits against Watson, which reportedly occurred
during massage sessions. He settled 23 of the cases out of
court.
The NFL is reviewing the most recent complaint to see if Watson
violated its personal conduct policy. He has not been put on the
commissioner's exempt list since the investigation is only in
the early stages, and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson
will start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Watson, who turns 29 on Saturday, issued a statement through his
attorney, denying the woman's claims.
This lawsuit is the latest legal trouble for Watson. In 2021, he
sat out the season as allegations of sexual misconduct emerged
with the first lawsuit filed against him in March.
After the Texans traded him to the Browns in a blockbuster deal,
Watson served an 11-game suspension in the 2022 season and was
fined $5 million.
The Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract
extension -- fully guaranteed.
The suspension and injuries have limited Watson to just 13
starts over two-plus seasons in Cleveland.
With the Browns, he has completed 59.1 percent of his passes for
2,386 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
--Field Level Media [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
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