Twenty-two women have accused Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct. Two of the accusers, Lauren Baxley and Ashley Soli, met with reporters from Sports Illustrated this week to explain their frustrations with the way the NFL has handled the investigation into Watson.
Baxley and Solis told Jenny Vrentas that they believe the NFL was “patronizing” and “victim-blaming” them during their interviews with league investigators.
“This woman asked me what I was wearing, which honestly really pissed me off,” Solis says.
“She explained that that’s something that she has to ask—which I don’t believe at all. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be wearing that would suggest that I don’t want you to put your penis on my hand? Do I need to wear a turtleneck?”
Meanwhile, Baxley says the NFL has actively looked for weaknesses in her story:
“My forensic interview [with HPD] was very respectful and trauma-informed,” Baxley says. “They let me speak uninterrupted, whereas with Lisa Friel and the [other NFL investigator], they would cut me off, they would question things, they would circle back.”
