'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Deshaun Watson continues to fight in court nearly 18 months after the first allegations of sexual assault were levied against him. The Houston Texans, meanwhile, have decided to cut their losses.
According to Click 2 Houston via Pro Football Talk, the Texans have settled court cases with 30 women for their part in enabling the quarterback to commit sexual misconduct.
With the Texans' role seemingly wrapped up, more problems could be headed Watson's way. It is pertinent to note that 24 cases were filed against Watson, while 30 were levied against the Texans. As such, a few more lawsuits could be filed against the quarterback.
If that does happen, Watson could continue to be bogged down by courtroom drama for the foreseeable future.
“This is not an admission of any wrongdoing, but instead a clear stand against any form of sexual assault and misconduct. We hope that today’s resolution will provide some form of closure to the parties involved, our fans and the Houston community at large. As an organization, we will now turn our focus to the future and doing what we can to ensure respect for all,” Houston owners said in a statement.
Deshaun Watson's rise and fall
The Houston Texans drafted Watson in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. His rookie season was quite promising as he threw for 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
In 2018 and 2019, Watson hit his peak. He made the playoffs twice, going 21-10 and winning a playoff game.
However, the downfall began in 2020. Although the quarterback had career-best statistics in passing touchdowns and interceptions, his team finished with a 4-12 record.
To add to his woes, more than 20 women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct early last year, acting as a tsunami that knocked Watson away from football. He missed the entire 2021 season partly due to a combination of the allegations and his desire to leave Houston.
It took until early 2022 for the first big domino to fall as criminal charges were dropped. Soon after, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns for a record-breaking contract.
Watson found a way to settle most of the cases against him and is pending the verdict of the NFL's investigation into his actions.
However, with potentially more women coming forward, Watson could face a fresh set of legal hoops to jump through.
Will the quarterback return to the NFL and resume business soon? Only time will tell.
