Deshaun Watson Investigation: The “Victim-Blaming” Tone of NFL

What’s going on with the Deshaun Watson investigation?

Deshaun Watson investigation has taken a new turn with the accusers’ new revelation. There are a total of 22 accusers in the Watson case and each one of them faced or experienced similar practices. Their stories revolve around the same context that Watson hired them and the make them grab parts of him and so on. He asked them to do all the things which are not in the LMT’s terms of service. However, the case is being handled by the Houston Police department, NFL is also investigating the same.

 

 

In a recent revelation, the accusers of sexual misconduct seemed frustrated over the investigation. Many of the accusers said that the Police department is sincere and helpful, but the NFL investigation is pathetic. They asked some lame questions in the investigation, like “what were the accusers wearing when they met Deshaun Watson?”

One of the 22 accusers said that the NFL investigators sounded more patronizing and victim-blaming. Most of the questions they shoot at the accusers were out of context as well as illogical.

 

Another accuser of the Deshaun Watson investigation said that the NFL investigators were trying to found a weak point and exploit the same. On the other hand, the NFL’s spokesperson said that the League is grateful to the women who took the charge and talked about the issues with them.

Surely everyone deserves a fair trial, but for the NFL, this shouldn’t be a matter of public relations or about competitive integrity with such a good player being out of the field. This issue is way more serious than just about the league. It’s about facing a problem with a long, sad history in the world. Domestic violence should be condemned in every single possible way.

The NFL is failing on understanding that.

Ashley Solis was the first accuser to come out and reveal that Deshaun Watson had sexually abused her during a therapy massage session. She faced all the scrutinity, was abused on social media, but she still was courageous enough to go into a podium and describe what happened with Watson. She said that the approach the league took during the interview with her was invasive and left her worried that her words were going to be used against her.

“This woman asked me what I was wearing, which honestly really pissed me off,” Solis told Sports Illustrated in what was her first interview with a media outlet. “She explained that that’s something that she has to ask—which I don’t believe at all. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be wearing that would suggest that I don’t want you to put your penis on my hand. Do I need to wear a turtleneck?”

Quarterback is still allowed to participate in training camp

Out of 22 accusers, 10 had an interaction with the NFL investigators. However, they are not happy with the fact that NFL is still allowing Watson to participate in training camp. One of the accusers, named Lauren Baxley, also stated that ‘the NFL has failed the accusers’. She added that Watson deserves a fair day in court.

 

https://twitter.com/aaronjreiss/status/1424732390245683207

Watson has not been practicing with the Texans during camp, but the reason is far from his investigation, as he claims to be innocent since the first case became public. Watson requested to be traded from the Houston Texans following the 2020 season, as he was disappointed with the path the franchise was taking. He was unsatisfied with Jack Easterby’s ascension in the front office and the fact that his opinion on the hire of the new head coach was disregarded.

Watson was one of the best players in the NFL in 2020, but the Texans still finished the season 4-12. Bill O’Brien was fired midseason and the team never put together a competitive team on the field apart from Watson, J. J. Watt, Laremy Tunsil and a few other players. After DeAndre Hopkins trade in March, the disappointment was already clear in Houston. Watson’s trade request only exacerbated what was already a dreadful situation.

Even though he’s not playing, the fact that the league still allows him to practice when such a serious matter is being investigated is foul play by the NFL. They should not let Watson take the field anytime soon as long as this investigation isn’t over. Even if he’s cleared or reach a deal with the accusers, this matter is really important for the society as a whole. Watson, as a superstar in the most popular sport in the country, can’t be simply given a pass for his actions.

And the NFL needs to acknowledge that the victims deserve support in their case without blaming them for Watson’s actions.

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