Deshaun Watson fans lash out at reported victim online amid sexual assault allegations
During a Tuesday press conference hosted by attorney Tony Buzbee, Houston massage therapist Ashley Solis revealed she is one of at least 22 plaintiffs who have filed civil lawsuits against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson regarding allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
As Robert Littal noted for BSO Entertainment, fans of the 25-year-old star signal-caller have found online pages linked with Solis' business and flooded them with abuse and negative reviews.
She announced on March 20 she was "taking a break from social media for mental health" amid the many allegations made against Watson:
"I can no longer practice the profession I love the most without my hands shaking during the session," Solis explained on Tuesday while adding she has suffered from panic attacks, anxiety and depression since the incident involving Watson she alleges occurred on March 30, 2020, at her home.
"I got into massage therapy to heal people. To heal their minds and bodies. To bring peace to their souls. Deshaun Watson has robbed me of that."
A traveling massage therapist said in a lawsuit filed last month that she believes Watson is a "serial predator."
According to a combination of reports and released statements, Nike, Beats by Dre and Reliant Energy all distanced themselves from Watson on Wednesday. Both the Houston Police Department and NFL have opened investigations, and Watson could be sidelined indefinitely via the commissioner's exempt list and eventually suspended through the NFL's personal conduct policy regardless of the outcomes of cases.
"The allegations are deeply disturbing and we take these issues very seriously," NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy said in a statement sent to Pro Football Talk after Tuesday's press conference. "Immediately following news of the first allegations last month, and as has been reported, we initiated an investigation under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. We are continuing to closely monitor all developments in the matter."
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