The NFL is continuing its investigation into Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson following accusations of sexual misconduct by 23 women. Amid the investigation, Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, did a radio interview with Sports Radio 610 and said that he believes Watson did not commit any crimes.
During the interview, Hardin gave an interesting explanation of why he believes a “happy ending” is not a crime.
The term “happy ending” describes either oral sex or manual stimulation of the penis during or after a massage. Watson has been accused of touching some of the massage therapists with his penis or exposing himself to them. Some of the women involved in the lawsuit say Watson ejacutaled on them or forced them to put their mouths on his penis. One accuser said Watson deliberately moved his erect penis to her hand and told her to “just grab it.”
Hardin argued that a “happy ending” is not a crime unless extra money is paid for the service and Watson had never paid extra for that “service.” The question is whether Watson forced these women into unwanted sexual encounters. If that was the case, it could qualify as sexual misconduct or sexual assault.
Hardin tried to clarify his comments Friday, saying that he believed Watson had engaged in consensual sexual activity with the massage therapists. Hardin added that Watson “did not pay anyone for sex.”
Hardin said that he had been speaking hypothetically when he used the term “happy ending” and was not specifically talking about Watson’s case.
In the statement, Hardin said, “It’s not OK to do anything that a woman does not agree to do.”
Watson will not face criminal charges but 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 offered $100,000 to each of the 22 initial accusers last spring in an attempt to settle each case.
In spite of the lawsuits, the Browns acquired Watson in March. The team gave Watson $230 million, the most guaranteed money in NFL history.
