Hit the Pause Button and Assess Your Own Personal Behavior‼️

Deshaun Watson, 25, three-time Pro Bowler and one of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks is by all accounts a stand-up reputable nice guy. Now, his character is under the microscope for his affinity for massages where he allegedly demands sexual favors and makes unwelcome sexual advances on his masseuses. Since mid March of this year, 19 civil lawsuits have been filed against him in the Harris County District Court alleging sexual harassment and assault during 20 plus massage appointments over the past year in multiple states and venues, including one in early March. If true, a pattern of inappropriate and potentially criminal behavior.

Despite the explosion of #MeToo, the toxic culture of sexual harassment is continuing and men are not learning from all of the scandals that are prominently displayed in the news every single day. How is that possible?

What will it take for violators to take a hard look at their own behaviors and make changes? Permanent changes. Have they not learned that just one incident and certainly a pattern of bad behavior can ruin careers? We have seen plenty recently involving the Mets, hitting coordinator Ryan Ellis and general manager Jared Porter, and the Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway. 

The allegations involving Watson range from refusing to cover his genitals to forcing women to touch his genitals and give him oral sex—during massages. Watson is a celebrity. His notoriety and commanding presence are likely intimidating, making it easy for him to pray on vulnerable women who may not know how to respond or handle themselves in the moment. Paying for a massage does not mean Watson has paid for any kind of sexual gratification. If this was his understanding, did he have express permission from his masseuses? Was this discussed and approved in advance, verbally or in writing? If not, he used his notoriety to intimidate and pray on these women. 

The legal process will have to play out for the 19 lawsuits filed to date and any others that may surface. The news of the first filing broke on the evening of March 16 after Plaintiff’s Lawyer Tony Buzbee disclosed the news on social media, and details of the first lawsuit came out the following morning. Watson is denying the allegations. 

Watson requested a trade in January after Coach Bill O’Brien was fired four weeks in to the season and the hiring of general manager Nick Caserio. This after Watson signed a four-year, $156 million contract last September. It is not likely that any team will want to risk a trade for Watson who until recently enjoyed a stellar reputation. The NFL is investigating the sexual assault allegations under their ‘personal conduct policy’ and it will be interesting to see what punishment, if any, Watson will receive if he is found culpable. The league has recently struggled to deal with cases like this. 

Watson could be facing more civil lawsuits and potentially criminal charges. 

We wrote Play Nice to help women and men deal with sexual harassment in the workplace immediately when it occurs — as a victim or bystander — to stop the behavior in its tracks, and to help women draw a line of respect and professionalism when it comes to bad behavior.

How are you tackling sexual harassment within your own personal circles? What will you do today to be #beupstanding to help #changetheculture for an environment without #sexualharassment? Check out our book ‘Play Nice - Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace’ and join us for further discussion at www.thesandboxseries.com.