HOUSTON (FIELD LEVEL MEDIA/REUTERS) — Texans general manager Nick Caserio said the civil lawsuits filed by 19 women against franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson are being taken “very seriously” by the team.
Caserio was the first team official to speak publicly about the situation when he spoke on the Texans All Access podcast.
The lawsuits make allegations against Watson ranging from inappropriate actions to sexual assault during massage treatments. The first suit was filed March 16.
“We’re certainly cognizant and aware,” Caserio said. “We made a statement at the beginning about where the organization stood. I would say it’s a legal situation, it’s a legal process, so we’re certainly respectful of that.
“We certainly take them very seriously. The allegations, what’s been discussed, are certainly troubling. And organizationally that’s not something that we can condone, that we condone, those types of actions.”
Watson, 25, posted a statement to social media following the filing of the first lawsuit, denying the allegation.
No criminal charges have been filed.
The NFL said on March 18 that cases of alleged wrongdoing by Watson are under investigation. The Texans issued a statement at the time that said team officials will stay in contact with the league.
Last September, the Texans signed Watson to a four-year, $156 million contract extension. His relationship with the team has soured since, however, and he has requested a trade.
Copyright Field Level Media. All Rights Reserved. 2021. Reuters distributed this report.