During the offseason of the NFL, we tend to see many changes and moves go around the league, but this year has been a little different for the Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson currently has 22 sexual harassment charges filed against him, all represented by the same lawyer, Tony Buzbee. 

It was recently announced that all 22 lawsuits would be heard by one judge in the same court. This is huge news for the women filing against Watson because at least half of their names must be released for the lawsuits to carry forward in the process. At the end of March, two of the lawsuits were dropped by other women. Most of the lawsuits are from massage therapists who claim that Watson tried to get them to perform sexual favors during massages, and made inappropriate remarks towards them. Watson has denied these claims for the past month, claiming that he “treats women with utmost respect.”

In early April, 18 women came forward and supported Watson through all the lawsuits.

“Collectively, they have worked with Deshaun more than 130 times over the past five years,” Watson’s lawyer Rusty Hardin said in a statement. “These statements show the other side to this story that has been so lacking in the flurry of anonymous complaints filed by opposing counsel.”

Watson’s trade value for the Texans has cratered beyond belief, going from the most valued trade target to staying in Houston. Only time will tell if Watson gets to stay in the League or not. Watson also had his Nike sponsorship recently suspended until after trial outcome.

The newer lawsuit against an NFL player was recently filed in the second week of April. Defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams Aaron Donald was accused of assault in the lawsuit filed against him. The lawsuit recounts that Donald was bumped by a man in a bar, resulting in Donald punching him in the right eye socket, popping it out of place. Donald recently had the charges dropped against him due to the security footage being released.

According to other witnesses, the man who filed the charge against Donald was waiting outside of the bar with a broken bottle while heavily intoxicated. The man then attacked Donald with the bottle in the back of the head. Donald’s crew dealt with the man, and Donald was actually the one who broke up the fight.

Donald recently signed a contract with the Rams, as he is the best defensive player currently in the league. His trade value remains the same.