Texans GM: Allegations against Watson 'certainly troubling'
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said the allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior against Deshaun Watson are "certainly troubling" as he addressed them publicly for the first time.
"We're certainly cognizant and aware," Caserio told the "Texas All Access" podcast on Monday's episode. "We made a statement at the beginning about where the organization stood. I would say it's a legal situation, it's a legal process, so we're certainly respectful of that.
"We certainly take them very seriously. The allegations, what's been discussed, are certainly troubling. Organizationally, that's not something that we can condone, that we condone, those types of actions. But again, we'll let the legal process take care of itself, and however it's gonna unfold, we'll certainly comply and do what we can to help and facilitate a resolution for everybody."
Nineteen women have filed lawsuits against Watson, accusing the star quarterback of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct while receiving professional massages. After the first lawsuit was filed, Watson said he's always treated women with the "utmost respect."
One of the most recent lawsuits claims Watson erased Instagram messages and contacted those "who formally provided him massages, in an attempt to settle."
"We categorically deny that he has reached out directly to his accusers in an attempt to settle these cases," Watson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said Monday.
Watson reportedly requested a trade after the Texans hired Caserio as their general manager. Houston apparently showed no willingness to discuss a Watson deal with teams that inquired before the first lawsuit was filed.
- With h/t to NFL.com