Attorney for Deshaun Watson files motion to reveal woman's ID

During a Tuesday press conference hosted by attorney Tony Buzbee, Houston massage therapist Ashley Solis and a second woman unveiled they are among at least 22 plaintiffs who have filed civil lawsuits against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct. 

According to Sarah Barshop of ESPN, Rusty Hardin, Watson's lawyer, has filed a motion asking a judge to rule that Buzbee must identify a woman who filed a lawsuit against the 25-year-old star signal-caller on March 18. Barshop added Hardin would have to file a motion for each individual lawsuit filed. 

"When we asked Mr. Buzbee to identify his clients weeks ago, he refused and told us to file a motion," Hardin said in a statement shared by ESPN. "Today we filed that motion. As discussed in our filing, Mr. Buzbee's use of anonymous lawsuits violates Texas law and the basic concept of fairness.

"While I understand that anonymity often is used as a shield for victims, Mr. Buzbee is using it as a sword. While shielding his clients from public scrutiny, Mr. Buzbee continues to use their anonymous allegations to destroy Mr. Watson. This is simply not right. And we look forward to resolving these matters in court."

Hardin added: 

"Mr. Watson's counsel cannot in good conscience publicly respond to the specific allegations being made because any response would be based on dangerous speculation about the identity of the accusers. It is easy to imagine the harm that would be caused if Ms. Doe was mistakenly identified.

"The only way to allow Mr. Watson to properly defend himself is for the Court to follow the law by requiring Ms. Doe to identify herself in her civil lawsuit."

Social media and online pages linked with Solis' business have been flooded with abusive messages since Tuesday afternoon. In one lawsuit filed last month, a woman said that she believes Watson is a "serial predator." 

Watson continues to deny any wrongdoing but could be made ineligible to practice or play via the commissioner's exempt list and could eventually be fined and suspended through the NFL's personal conduct policy regardless of the outcomes of existing and future cases. 

The Houston Police Department and NFL have both opened investigations, and NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy called the accusations "deeply disturbing" in a statement offered on Tuesday.