By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-22 14:45:40 | Updated at 2024-09-30 07:36:05
1 week ago
Cleveland Brown quarterback Deshaun Watson is struggling with mental issues on the field due to ongoing sexual assault allegations made against him, it has been claimed.
Watson has been embroiled in various court cases over the past three seasons, previously reaching confidential settlements with 20 women over sexual misconduct lawsuits that saw him suspended for 11 NFL games during the 2022 season.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that he is being sued for more than $1million by a new woman, who has accused him of sexually assaulting her in Texas four years ago.
Despite the fresh allegations, Watson continues to play for the Cleveland Browns, and former quarterback Warren Moon believes his on-field struggles are linked closely to his off-field drama.
'He's still dealing with a lot of that crap that he dealt with a couple of years ago with the lawsuits and all that,' Moon told TMZ. 'And now, all of the sudden, another lawsuit comes up.
Deshaun Watson has struggled through the first two games of the Cleveland Browns' season
Watson was recently at the center of fresh sexual assault allegations, which he denies
'It seems like just when he's starting to maybe get his career back on track from getting over the lawsuits -- and then the injuries that he's had the last couple years -- here comes another one.'
'It seems like every time he goes out on the field he's playing with a heavy mind and he's not able to focus on the game,' Warren added. 'He's probably trying a little bit too hard. He's pressing. And he's just not able to play the way he's capable of playing.'
The Browns are 1-1 to start the season, having lost to Dallas in Week 1 but beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.
This afternoon, they face the Giants in Cleveland and are heavy favorites to pick up a second straight win with Watson under center.
In the wake of the fresh allegations surfacing at the start of September, Watson strongly denied the claims, which stemmed from his time with the Houston Texans.
'Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday,' Watson's Houston-area attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement provided to DailyMail.com. 'We have asked him not to comment further while this matter works its way through the courts, but are comfortable he will ultimately be vindicated.
Legendary QB Warren Moon believes that the off-field drama is affecting Watson in games
'We will be ready to defend this case in court at the appropriate time, but don't intend to conduct our defense in the media. We would ask that people be patient while the legal process runs its course. In the meantime, Deshaun is going to focus his energy and concentration on football.'
According to TMZ, Doe claims Watson stripped naked and 'demanded' the woman 'massage his butt' before grabbing her and committing sexually assault.
Asked if the lawsuit will become a distraction, Watson insisted that he needs to 'focus on football.'
'Focus on keeping the main thing the main thing,' he said.
