Deshaun Watson for the first time since March spoke about the multiple sexual misconduct cases he faces. The Cleveland Browns quarterback said that he plans to keep fighting to clear his name.

The number of civil suits against Watson rose to 24 this month after two A New U Salon Spa workers accused him of assault. All the plantiffs are being represented by Attorney Tony Buzbee. 

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One of them, who had three meetings with Watson in 2020, said that the player ‘attempted to grab her buttocks and brushed up against her rear’, asked her if she wants to engage in a sexual act and then repeatedly requested she have sex with him. The lawsuits have been filed since April, 2021. Plantiffs have claimed that the Cleveland quarterback coerced them to touch him in a sexual manner, exposed himself or moved his body in ways that forced them to touch his penis. The incidents cited in the suits were said to have occurred from March 2020 to March 2021.

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Watson had spoken about his innocence in a March introductory news conference. He is facing a possible suspension from the NFL, which has investigated whether he violated its personal-conduct policy.

“I never assaulted anyone,” Watson said following practice as the Browns held their mandatory minicamp. “I never harassed anyone or I never disrespected anyone. I never forced anyone to do anything.”

The Cleveland Browns signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract despite his legal situation. Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict him on criminal complaints.

“I’ve been honest and I’ve been truthful about my stance,” he said. “I never forced on anyone and I never assaulted anyone. That’s what I’ve been saying since the beginning and I’ll continue to do that until all the facts come out.”

“I did everything they asked me to do,” said Watson. “I answered every question truthfully that the NFL asked me. That’s all I can do is be honest and tell them exactly what happened and I know they have a job and I have to respect that and that’s what we wanted to do is cooperate.”