The NFL has announced that the Houston Texans will lose their fifth-round draught pick in 2023 because of a salary cap violation. The NFL found that in 2020, the club gave former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson a membership to an unknown athletic facility in exchange for secret cash.
The league also penalized Houston $175,000 and took away the Texans’ 2023 fifth-round selection. The “alternative athletic facility” was reportedly the Houstonian, a luxury hotel and club that the Texans helped offer membership to and the “undisclosed compensation” was $26,000, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
Per source, I’m told the “undisclosed compensation” was $26,000, and the “alternative athletic facility” was the Houstonian, the luxury hotel and club the Texans helped provide membership.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 9, 2023
Indeed, the Houstonian’s ties to Watson and the Texans run deep. The former Texans quarterback was the subject of claims in a New York Times published last summer in which it was claimed that women were brought to the hotel where he was staying in order to meet with him for the express purpose of delivering messages.
Below you’ll find links to posts about various other NFL players if you’re interested in reading more about them:
- After Crash Ex-NFL Player Vontae Davis Imprisoned for DUI
- Houston Police Respond to Sen. Ted Cruz’s Home self-inflicted Slashing’ Complaint
What are the Charges Against Watson?
Several female guests at the Houstonian have come forward to accuse Watson of abuse. Watson stated in a deposition that he had “a place” at The Houstonian because of the Texans’ efforts.
The report in the New York Times claims, (aforementioned) that at least seven women had appointments with Watson at the hotel and that two of them afterward filed lawsuits or made complaints to the police.
Watson claims that the Texans had no idea that he had booked massages at the hotel and that he did not have keycard access to the building. More than two dozen women have accused Watson of s*xual misconduct during massage visits and the inquiry into their claims is ongoing.
Last year, the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games. The Texans would have 11 draught choices in 2023 if they had their fifth-round pick in place instead.
Both the No. 2 and No. 12 overall picks in the first round, as well as the No. 33 and No. 65 picks in the second, the No. 73 and No. 76 picks in the third, the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the fourth, and four picks in the sixth round are Houston’s.
We will provide an update as soon as we have additional data related to this case. You can keep up with the newest news about NFL players, celebrities and more by following us on Twitter in the meantime.