Nike has suspended its endorsement deal with Deshaun Watson amid the sexual assault and inappropriate behavior allegations made against the Houston Texans quarterback, the company told CNBC on Wednesday.
“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 statement to the television network.
Twenty-two women have filed lawsuits against Watson over the past month. On Tuesday, Ashley Solis publicly spoke about her allegations, saying Watson “robbed” her of the feeling that she was healing people as a massage therapist.
The NFL has launched an investigation into Watson under its personal conduct policy, and NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy on Tuesday called the allegations against the quarterback “deeply disturbing.” The Houston Police Department also has an open investigation into Watson, without specifying what he has been accused of.
Watson has publicly denied any wrongdoing.