Deshaun Watson accusations: What to know about Texans' reported involvement in massage encounters as NFL team now faces litigation - Sporting New

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Warning: This story contains details about alleged sexual abuse.

In a story that seemingly keeps unraveling everyday, Deshaun Watson asked several massage therapists to sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to appointments and the NDA was written by the Texans' director of security, according to a new report from Jenny Vrentas at The New York Times.

On Tuesday, Vrentas cited findings from depositions of the civil lawsuits of the now-Browns' quarterback in which Watson faces alleging sexual assault and misconduct. In them, Watson said he was given an NDA from Brent Naccara, the director of security for the Texans, which he said he used only for massage appointments.

The form was reportedly placed in Watson's locker days after Nia Smith, a massage therapist who filed the 23rd civil lawsuit against Watson on June 1, posted text messages and Cash App receipts from Watson on Instagram. Smith said she could "really expose you" in reference to the QB back in November 2020 after she quit working at A New U Spa, where Watson's alleged assault of Smith took place.

In text messages obtained by The Times, one massage therapist told Watson she wanted to keep his massage "professional and respectful." Watson responded saying that he had "a NDA I have therapist sign" after explaining he always keeps it professional. Watson reportedly brought the form to massages for therapists to sign. One woman who signed the NDA wrote in a lawsuit against Watson that she ended her session with him after he suggested a sexual act. The woman alleges Watson told her she would only be paid if she signed the form.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the Deshaun Watson legal situation

The Texans also reportedly helped set up "a place" for Watson to have massages at a hotel in Houston, according to The Times report. At least seven women met Watson at The Houstonian, away from the team, Vrentas writes. Two of those women filed civil lawsuits against Watson and two more brought complaints to the police. The report said it is unclear if the Texans knew how many massages received.

In the deposition, Watson was asked why he reached out to former flight attendant who was taking massage therapy classes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic rather than any of the previous women he had used. Watson said, "because I needed a massage therapy." He was also asked whether he could have used someone within the Texans' organization, and said that, while it was "definitely possible," he did not. He had reached out to her on Instagram and wrote that he was "tryna support black businesses" and suggested they meet at The Houstonian.

Watson was asked about her lack of experience and repeatedly stated that "that wasn't a priority."

During his first session with her, Watson reportedly asked her to "get up in there." The woman said she was uneasy with his directions, but "chalked it up to her inexperience and agreed to work with him again." Watson allegedly ejaculated during the second appointment and then asked the woman for another massage later that day, wanting it to take place at the Houstonian. The woman agreed, at first, but later told Watson she could not make it and eventually blocked his number.

The Texans did not respond to specific questions about The Times' report, but said once they learned of the allegations against Watson in March 2021, they have cooperated with the investigations and "will continue to do so."

The day after The Times' report came out, Tony Buzbee, attorney for the plaintiffs, announced in a statement he would be adding the Texans, and others, as defendants to the civil lawsuits Watson is facing.

"What has become clear is that the Houston Texans organization and their contracting 'massage therapy company' facilitated Deshaun Watson's conduct. In many of these cases, the Texans provided the opportunity for this conduct to occur," Buzbee wrote in the statement. "We believe the Texans organization was well aware of Watson's issues, but failed to act. They knew or certainly should have known."

Statement from plaintiffs attorney Tony Buzbee announcing he plans to add the Texans as a defendant in litigation against Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who faces 24 lawsuits filed by Buzbee in Harris County. pic.twitter.com/7m2kOCiAH7

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 8, 2022

When asked on Wednesday about the 24th lawsuit filed against Watson and his standing with the team, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the team wants to "respectful of the process, be respectful of the legal proceedings.”

The number of different massage therapists hired by Watson also appears to be much larger than previously known. Watson has previously stated he hired 40 different massage therapists over five years in Houston, but The Times reported that between just fall 2019 and spring 2021, the number is at least 66.

MORE: Browns defend decision to acquire Watson from Texans

Watson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, told The Times that Watson "continues to vehemently deny" the allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Rather than respond to specific questions in The Times' report, Hardin said, "When the real facts are known this issue will appear in a different light."

Watson's attorneys have maintained Watson had consensual sexual contact with three women after massages and that each encounter was initiated by the women, but when asked whether that meant Watson never had sexual contact with other massage therapists, Hardin did not respond.

One woman who spoke with The Times anonymously but did not sue Watson said the quarterback requested she massage him around his testicles and anus during their first session and that after she laughed off the request, he forced her hand to the area. The anonymous woman said he twice had sexual acts with Watson and said she let him proceed, but that she "didn't know how to tell him no."

MORE: Hardin says 'happy ending' after massage is not illegal, walks back comment

Hardin responded to the claims saying, "It would be irresponsible and premature for us to comment on vague details put forth by anonymous individuals."

The Times' report also found Hardin had plenty of communication with the prosecuting attorneys surrounding the criminal cases Watson faced. Hardin and Johna Stallings, the Harris County sex crimes prosecutor handling Watson's case, talked 12 times over the phone and exchanged 24 text messages two months before two grand juries heard the case against Watson. Hardin and Stallings communicated via phone or message more than 12 times during the week of the hearing, per The Times' report.

A former Harris County prosecutor called that amount of communication 'noteworthy.'

"There are some well-known defense attorneys like a Rusty Hardin that may have gotten a little extra real estate in terms of time, but even given the fact that it was Rusty, that's still a lot of time," Njeri Mathis Rutledge, former prosecutor and current South Texas College of Law Houston professor told The Times.

Hardin defended the extensive communication, calling it "standard practice" for lawyers to work with prosecutors and law enforcement. The attorney for the plaintiffs, Tony Buzbee, and other lawyers for the women spoke with criminal prosecutors just once.

A spokesman for Kim Ogg, Harris County district attorney, said the prosecutors "vigorously examined all the evidence and spoke at great length with accusers."

Two grand juries — one in Harris County, another in Brazoria County — decided against bringing forward criminal charges against Watson.

The NFL investigation over Watson remains ongoing, though commissioner Roger Goodell previously stated in May that the league is "nearing the end of the investigation." The 24 civil lawsuits will not be brought to trial until after the 2022 NFL season.