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Content warning: This post contains depictions of alleged sexual misconduct.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is still being investigated by the NFL after being accused of sexual misconduct by 23 women. With that investigation ongoing, Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, did a radio interview with Sports Radio 610, and explained why he believes Watson did not commit any crimes.
Hardin signed off during the interview by attempting to explain why a “happy ending” was not a crime. His explanation was baffling.
The term “happy ending” describes either oral sex or manual stimulation of the penis during or after a massage. Watson is accused of touching some of the massage therapists with his penis or exposing himself to them. Other women in the lawsuit have accused Watson of ejaculating on them or forcing them to put their mouths on his penis. One accuser said Watson deliberately moved his erect penis to the woman’s hand. Watson reportedly told the woman to “just grab it” if his penis got in the way.
Hardin’s argument — that a “happy ending” is not a crime unless extra money is paid for the service — does not apply here. The issue revolves around whether Watson forced these women into unwanted sexual encounters. If that happened, it could qualify as sexual misconduct or sexual assault.
Deshaun Watson traded to Browns despite allegations
Those civil suits did not prevent the Browns from acquiring Watson in March. The team promptly gave Watson $230 million, the most guaranteed money in NFL history. The Browns also structured Watson’s contract so he wouldn’t lose out on that much money if he got suspended in 2022. Two grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges in March. Watson was traded to the Browns after the first grand jury declined the indict him.
Watson will not face criminal charges, but he is still subject to punishment from the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell said in May that the league’s investigation into Watson was nearly complete. Since then, a 23rd accuser filed a civil suit against Watson.
Watson reportedly offered $100,000 to each of the 22 initial accusers last spring in an attempt to settle each case.