Grand Jury Declines to Indict Deshaun Watson, Clearing Way for Return
Former Clemson Tiger signal caller Deshaun Watson won’t face criminal charges after a Harris County, Texas grand jury failed to indict him Friday.
"“It’s definitely a very emotional moment for me,” Watson said, in a video posted to Twitter by Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle. “I know we’re far from being done handling what we need to handle on the legal side, but today is definitely a big day.”"
Deshaun Watson’s opening statement: https://t.co/Ocey6utJ5K pic.twitter.com/HXAotgGxXD
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) March 11, 2022
Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and harassment during massage sessions. Watson pleaded the Fifth Amendment rights to hundreds of questions asked by the lawyer representing the women who filed the suits.
There is also the question of punishment to be levied by the NFL, which many expect to be lengthy. However it appears that the non-indictment means the Texans are able to start shopping Watson now that he is not under the cloud of criminal prosecution.
In four seasons with the Texans Watson threw for 14,539 yards and 104 touchdowns with 36 interceptions, while rushing for 1,677 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Watson, 26, led Clemson to the 2016 National Championship in a 35-31 thriller over Alabama.