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Nike Suspends Sponsorship of Deshaun Watson Amid Allegations
By The Associated Press
Published April 9, 2021
In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson walks off the field before the team’s NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Nike has suspended its endorsement contract with Deshaun Watson amid allegations of sexual assault and harassment against the Houston Texans quarterback.
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“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson,” Nike said in a statement released Wednesday. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Watson has been accused of sexual assault or harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women. One of those women, Ashley Solis, said Tuesday during a news conference that she was assaulted and traumatized when she tried to give Watson a massage in March 2020.
Judges order women suing Deshaun Watson to disclose names KTRK
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Two judges granted Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson s attorney s request for the 13 alleged victims suing Watson to identify themselves by next week, with the potential identity release of a 14th one.
During a press conference Friday afternoon, attorney Rusty Hardin said he spoke with attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing the alleged victims, and Buzbee agreed to amend another case, bringing it to a total of 14 possible names.
WATCH: Consensual acts did take place, Watson s lawyer insists
This was the first time Watson s legal team spoke on camera to address the allegations and hearings.
Hours before the news conference, Judge Dedra Davis granted Hardin’s motion and ordered attorney Tony Buzbee to turn over the names of 13 accusers.
Hours before Hardin’s press conference, two judges ruled that the names of 13 of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits accusing against Watson will be made public, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Hardin argued the use of anonymous lawsuits violates state law and is asking that all the names be released. How in the world are we supposed to respond if we don’t know the names of the people? Hardin said. We’re not supposed to have to guess who is accusing us of doing something wrong.
HOUSTON Deshaun Watson s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, acknowledged during a Friday news conference that there were some consensual encounters between the Houston Texans quarterback and some of the 22 women who have filed lawsuits against him, but he said at no point did Watson engage in any acts that were not mutually desired. Were there sometimes consensual encounters? Yes, Hardin said.
When asked to clarify his comments about Watson taking part in sex acts with some of the women who have filed lawsuits against him alleging inappropriate behavior and sexual assault, Hardin replied, In some of these massages there s going to be no question. We ve never run from it.