“This isn’t about money for me – it’s about clearing my name”: Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans QB, Issues Statement Following Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Amidst Trade Rumors

Houston based attorney Tony Buzbee filed a lawsuit against the stud quarterback on behalf of a masseuse on Tuesday. Deshaun Watson was quick to defend himself, issuing a statement via Twitter saying he looks forward to clearing his name.

Buzbee did not specify the allegations against Desahun Watson in his post but referenced behavior with women and later told FOX 26 in Houston that “Watson went too far” with a woman who was giving him a massage. Buzbee is well-known throughout the Houston area for his law firm and unsuccessful 2019 campaign against Mayor Sylvester Turner. He put an Instagram post, publically demeaning Watson.

Deshaun Watson replied via a Twitter post saying, “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.”

What does this mean for Deshaun Watson & his trade stock?

Deshaun Watson has been very open about his feelings of utter discontent with the Texans and about wanting a trade out of there.

Deshaun Watson was once the leader of a perennial playoff team that made it to the divisional round of the 2019 playoffs. But then everything went downhill. Former Texans GM Bill O’Brien traded away star wide receiver Deandre Hopkins for only a second-round pick in the 2020 offseason, which came as a shock to the whole league.

Bill dismantled a great squad in 2020. Even though Deshaun Watson had a great individual year, throwing for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions, he could only lead the Texans to a 4-12 record. The Texans had finished 10-6 just the previous season. Deshaun expressed his disappointment in the team and in January of 2021, requested a trade away from the Texans.

So even though any team would be lucky to have Deshaun Watson, with a looming scandal that could provide a lot of negative publicity, teams will be sceptical of trading away a bunch of pieces. Rumoured to have a starting price of more than 3 first-round picks, teams in the market for Deshaun Watson’s talents could become thinner.

Deshaun Watson asked to be traded, and the trade rumours have been flaring up ever since . But now only time will tell if Deshaun Watson will be able to secure up a team apart from the Texans for the 2021 season.

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