Two women say they were upset by some of the tactics NFL investigators used in interviews with them regarding their contact with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
His remarks were published in Sports Illustrated on Friday.
Ashley Solís said NFL investigators asked her what she wore when she worked with Watson, “which honestly bothered me a lot.”
In his lawsuit, Solís described incidents of sexual misconduct by Watson.
NFL investigators Lisa Friel and Jennifer Gaffney, former prosecutors who now lead the league’s personal conduct policy investigations, spoke to Solis, Lauren Baxley and eight others of the 22 women who have filed a lawsuit against Watson, who through his attorney, Rusty Hardin, has denied the charges.
Baxley stated that he thought the NFL investigators were “condescending” and “blaming the victims” in their line of questioning.
He added that his interview with the Houston Police Department was “very respectful and trauma-based.”
Solís and Baxley were part of a press conference in April in which they named themselves in the case.
The post indicates that the two agreed to an interview last week, frustrated by the fact that Watson remains active on the Texans’ roster.
Watson has dressed, but has only participated in training exercises so far.
The league says there are “no restrictions” on his participation. It remains subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy, which allows the league, through Commissioner Roger Goodell, to act and potentially suspend players it determines to have violated league policies even without a formal criminal case.
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the 22 women, told the publication that Solis and Baxley wanted to speak to the NFL to hear what the magazine called “unfiltered accounts directly from them.”
He also said that after his first three clients were interviewed, he was present in the room in what the magazine described as an effort to restore the tone. He added that his clients have received better future interviews.
The NFL told ESPN that “there is no change in (Watson’s) situation while investigations by the Houston Police Department and the league continue.”
The NFL added that the review of the “serious allegations” against Watson “is ongoing and active.”
“We work cooperatively with the Houston Police Department and ensure that the NFL’s investigation does not interfere with their investigation.”
Taken from Yahoo Sports.
