Eighteen women who say they have been masseuses for NFL star Deshaun Watson have vouched for his character, saying he’s always been professional as the football player faces accusations of sexual misconduct.
The Houston Texans quarterback remains on the defensive, however, with two more complaints filed on Tuesday that brings the total number of lawsuits against him to 21.
Rusty Hardin, Watson’s lawyer, revealed the statements of support for the quarterback. They come from women who have given him massages more than 130 times combined, Hardin says.
‘These women say they are deeply troubled by the accusations made against Deshaun and that these claims are wholly inconsistent with their experiences with him and who they believe him to be,’ Hardin said in a statement to TMZ.
‘All of them stated that Deshaun never made them feel uncomfortable or demanded anything outside the scope of a professional massage.’
Deshaun Watson is receiving a show of support from 18 masseuses who have worked on him
All of the women went on the record in their statements of support for Watson.
Myah Roberson began working with Watson in December 2019 and helped him develop the use of the towel that’s been referenced in other lawsuits.
‘Some of these accusations are so ludicrous,’ Roberson said. ‘I just can’t see him doing any of those things.
‘He was never inappropriate with me. I never felt threatened in any way.’
A licensed physical therapist says she performed a massage on Watson in July 2020 and he ‘texted me during my drive home to make sure I had gotten home safely.’
A licensed massage therapist worked on Watson multiple times during 2020 and always felt safe working with him, she said, a sentiment echoed in many of the statements.
‘I am just completely floored by these lawsuits,’ licensed therapist Masako Jones said.
Many of the women who went on record described Watson as being relatively quiet, sometimes listening to music during the massages.
Many of them also discussed how common it was to have to work on more sensitive parts of the lower body, especially when working with athletes.
One therapist talked about what happens when a man becomes aroused during a massage session.
‘When working the adductors and groin/pelvic area, it is not uncommon to accidentally graze the penis, but you don’t engage it,’ said Norma Reyna.
‘I teach my students to use a firmer touch or to move to a different area if a client gets aroused during a session, which sometimes happens.’
Two more civil lawsuits accusing Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct were filed on Tuesday evening in a Texas court, bringing the overall total to 21
One massage therapist, who works for Team USA’s track and field program, says she has worked on Watson more than 40 times since 2018.
‘In all that time, I never had a single uncomfortable or inappropriate experience with Deshaun,’ wrote Jas Brooks.
Licensed massage therapist Tina Nguyen wrote: ‘When I eventually realized who he was, I asked him to have his picture taken with me to give to my son, who is a big fan.’
Several of the women concluded their statements by expressing their shock about the rash of allegations leveled against Watson.
Rusty Hardin (left), Watson’s attorney, alleged in a statement that his legal team has ‘strong evidence’ an accusation made by a woman they believe filed one of the lawsuits is false. Tony Buzbee (right) represents the 21 women who have filed lawsuits against Watson
Two new lawsuits obtained by DailyMail.com were filed with the Harris County (Texas) District Clerk Tuesday on behalf of an Arizona massage therapist and a Houston woman working to get her massage therapy license.
The woman in Houston claims Watson frequently exposed himself and deliberately touched her with his penis, but continued to work with him for fear of her career.
In a fourth appointment, Watson allegedly coerced the women into oral sex and ejaculated on her. She would not work with him after that.
‘These women say they are deeply troubled by the accusations made against Deshaun and that these claims are wholly inconsistent with their experiences with him and who they believe him to be,’ Rusty Hardin said in a statement revealing the 18 statements of support
One of the new lawsuits says that Watson has contacted plaintiffs ‘through intermediaries.’
That follows Houston attorney Tony Buzbee’s Sunday social media claim that Watson is deleting Instagram messages and contacting the women.
Hardin has denied those claims, saying Watson hasn’t deleted messages since March 15 and hasn’t reached out to accusers looking for settlements.
Neither of the two new lawsuits accuse Watson of sexual assault, though two other plaintiffs who filed earlier this month did allege sexual assault, saying he forced them to perform oral sex on him.
Buzbee is representing all 21 women who have filed lawsuits as Jane Does against Watson to this point.
Buzbee has claimed on Instagram that he is looking for a place to bring evidence because Hardin’s son works for the Houston Police Department.
‘[I have] learned that my legal opponent, Mr. Hardin, has a son who is on of the exclusive Command Staff of HPD,’ Buzbee wrote on Instagram.
‘I am not saying in any way that Deshaun Watson’s lawyer, Mr. Hardin, has a son who has a position that would compromise HPD and its investigation. I support his service, along with all Houston police officers—I think the rank and file know that.
‘But, I am saying that me and my clients will go elsewhere to provide our evidence to investigative authorities.’
The Houston police have not commented on the lawsuits, nor has the local district attorney’s office.
The NFL, meanwhile, is investigating but not commenting on the matter beyond that.
Buzbee said the lawsuits aren’t about money during a news conference this month, saying that the women are suing for $500 in damages, the lowest amount that can be sought in civil court in Texas.
He says the lawsuits are about fixing Watson’s pattern of behavior and the culture of the NFL.
Buzbee has a text which he claims shows Watson asking the plaintiff about his ‘glute area’
In a statement last week, Hardin alleged he had ‘strong evidence’ one accuser is lying, saying she tried and failed to blackmail his client for $30,000.
Buzbee also claims that Watson asked his massage therapists to sign non-disclosure agreements.
‘We will also provide a copy of the non-disclosure agreement that Deshaun Watson and his marketing manager repeatedly insisted that Jane Doe (and others) sign after (and sometimes before) the ”massage session,” which she refused to sign,’ Buzbee wrote in a statement.
Watson has denied any wrongdoing.
Several of the alleged incidents are said to have occurred at a hotel where Watson was staying. Two of the lawsuits specifically identified that hotel as The Houstonian (pictured)
