‘DEEPLY CONCERNED’

Nike Puts Deshaun Watson on Ice After Abuse Accuser Speaks

The Houston Texans quarterback has been accused of sexual misconduct by 22 women in separate lawsuits.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson’s Nike endorsement deal was put on hold a day after the first of his 22 sexual-misconduct accusers spoke publicly. “We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Nike said in a statement, according to CNBC. Nike suspended its support of Watson even though it stuck by Pittsburgh Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger when he was accused of sexual misconduct a decade ago. Its decision came a day after massage therapist Ashley Solis held a press conference in which she said she remains traumatized by a March 2020 encounter with Watson, who allegedly touched her with his penis. Watson denies the allegations and his attorney has framed them as a shakedown attempt.