In light of an ongoing legal dispute involving allegations of sexual misconduct, Deshaun Watson will be suspended for the first six games of the NFL 2022 season, AP reported quoting sources
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Here’s a timeline of all the events leading to the suspension of the Cleveland Browns quarterback for six games:
March 16, 2022: A Houston massage therapist filed a civil case against Watson, represented by Tony Buzbee, alleging sexual assault. Buzbee’s allegations were vigorously refuted by Watson, who released a statment on Twitter, “As a result of a social media post by a publicity-seeking plaintiff’s lawyer, I recently became aware of a lawsuit that has apparently been filed against me. I have not yet seen the complaint, but I know this: I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect. The plaintiff’s lawyer claims that this isn’t about money, but before filing suit he made a baseless six-figure settlement demand, which I quickly rejected. Unlike him, this isn’t about money for me—it’s about clearing my name, and I look forward to doing that.” The lawsuit further asserts that Watson afterwards contacted the massage therapist and expressed regret for his behaviour.
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Match 17, 2021: There are two more cases brought against Watson.
March 18, 2021: Four more lawsuits are filed within hours of the NFL announcing that it is looking into the three prior complaints against Watson. In a statement, the Texans promise to “remain in constant contact with the league” throughout the inquiry.
March 19, 2021: Rusty Hardin, Watson’s lawyer, issues a statement pleading with the general public to “keep an open mind” up until they answer to the cases.
March 22, 2021: Seven further civil lawsuits against Watson turn up on the Harris County District Clerk’s website, bringing the total to 14.
March 23, 2021: Two additional civil cases are filed, increasing the total to 16.
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March 29, 2021: Three further civil lawsuits are brought against Watson, bringing the total to 19.
March 30, 2021: Two additional lawsuits are filed, increasing the total to 21.
April 2, 2021: Houston Police Department issues a statement announcing the filing of a criminal complaint against Watson.
April 6, 2021: Ashley Solis and Lauren Baxley, two plaintiffs, unveil their identities and make public statements at a news conference.
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April 7, 2021: Nike and Beats By Dre suspended their endorsement agreements with Watson. H-E-B and Reliant Energy said they have no plans to work with Watson in the future.
April 9, 2021: Two judges in Harris County declare that the plaintiffs in Watson’s lawsuit must identify themselves.
April 13, 2021: One plaintiff decides to withdraw her lawsuit against Watson “for now” in order to keep her name a secret.
April 14, 2021: Watson is the target of yet another civil lawsuit, putting the total number of open cases back up to 22.
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April 19, 2021: Rusty Hardin claims that the 22 women who filed lawsuits were lying, and that five of them “wanted to get money out of Mr. Watson” and eight of them boasted about giving Watson massages.
July 25, 2021: Watson reports to Houston Texans training camp.
Nov. 2, 2021: Watson is still on the Texans’ roster as the trade deadline has passed. The rest of the season is spent without him on the field.
November 4, 2021: Hardin and Buzbee’s settlement negotiations fail.
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February 21, 2022: Judge orders that Watson may be questioned in nine civil actions.
March 1, 2022: According to Houston GM Nick Caserio, the Texans are evaluating the quarterback issue “day by day.”
March 8, 2022: a grand jury is expected to hear the prosecution’s case against Watson in court. Watson is slated to be deposed in the March 11 civil litigation proceedings.
March 11, 2022: According to Kevin Draper of The New York Times, Watson invokes the Fifth Amendment in his civil deposition. After a police inquiry spurred by the lawsuits, a Texas grand jury decides not to indict Watson in nine cases. Trade market for the QB intensifies.
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March 18, 2022: Watson releases the Browns from his no-trade clause. He receives a five-year, $230 million contract from Cleveland, which breaks the previous record for the highest guaranteed contract in league history. His 2022 season salary is only $1 million, thus if he is suspended during the current campaign, he will only lose $55,556 per game.
March 20, 2022: The Browns release a statement following the trade, saying the team “spent a tremendous amount of time exploring and investigating the opportunity to trade for Deshaun Watson.”
March 24, 2022: Watson is not indicted on a tenth criminal complaint by a grand jury in Brazoria County.
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March 25, 2022: During Watson’s first press conference as a member of the Browns, questions regarding the sexual misconduct charges were directed at the quarterback. The quarterback denies assaulting, groping, or treating any woman disrespectfully.
March 29, 2022: Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, comments on Watson’s participation. Additionally, the NFL and NFLPA concur to employ Sue Robinson, a former judge on the U.S. District Court, as an unbiased arbitrator in disciplinary matters like Watson’s.
April 19, 2022: Watson comes for the Browns’ offseason practises.
May 24, 2022 : During a segment of “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” two of the 22 plaintiffs describe their interactions with Watson in graphic detail.
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May 31, 2022: There is a 23rd lawsuit filed.
June 6, 2022: 24th lawsuit is filed.
June 14, 2022: Watson speaks with the media at a Browns mandatory minicamp
June 21, 2022: Watson strikes settlements with 20 of his accusers.
June 27, 2022 : One of the 24 women has filed a complaint against the Houston Texans, alleging that they “turned a blind eye” to Watson’s behaviour.
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August 1, 2022: Watson is anticipated to get a six-game punishment from former U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson, according to numerous reports. The six-game ban is subject to appeal by either the league or the union, in which case Roger Goodell, the commissioner, will make the final call in accordance with the CBA.
