Nike has suspended its sponsorship of Houston Texans Quarterback Deshaun Watson. The decision to break ties with Watson comes as he faces more than a dozen accusations of sexual assault and harassment.
"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 brief statement.
Nike is not the only major corporation to alter its relationship with Watson. Today, Beats By Dre announced that it would cut ties with the Texans quarterback as well. At this time, Watson still appears to have sponsorship deals with Rolex, H-E-B and Reliant Energy. Not to mention, he owns a Lefty's location in Houston, Texas.
Watson's current employer, the NFL, has not separated itself from Watson just yet. The league has said that they are monitoring this situation and investigation it themselves as well.
“The allegations are deeply disturbing and we take these issues very seriously,” NFL Communications Vice President Brian McCarthy told NBC Sports.
“Immediately following news of the first allegations last month, and as has been reported, we initiated an investigation under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. We are continuing to closely monitor all developments in the matter.”
Adding on to the NFL's investigation, Watson may soon be facing criminal charges as well. Thus far, all of the lawsuit filed against the quarterback have been civil lawsuits, but the Houston Police Department has announced that a criminal investigation is being conducted as well.
“Today, a complainant filed a report with the Houston Police Department concerning Deshaun Watson. As with any allegation, the Houston Police Department is now conducting an investigation and will not comment further during the investigative process," the Houston Police Department stated.
Watson has not made any direct comments regarding the matter since the first civil lawsuit was filed last month.
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