HOUSTON – Former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, known for his controversial past, announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend and Houston influencer Jilly Anais on Sunday.
Watson, who now plays for the Cleveland Browns, was tagged in a series of photos posted by Jilly, showcasing her enormous engagement ring.
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The couple’s love story dates back to 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ: Deshaun Watson shares love story with girlfriend during quarantine
Jilly, a Houston native and social media influencer, featured Watson on her YouTube channel in 2020, answering fan questions in a video titled “How I met my boyfriend.”
Watson shared that they first connected on Instagram before officially meeting at a hot yoga class in Los Angeles. Anais was impressed by Watson’s effort, noting that he showed up for an early 7 a.m. workout with her. After a five-and-a-half-hour dinner, the two made their relationship official and have been inseparable since.
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The couple has traveled together to destinations including Montana, Mexico, Spain, Antigua, the Bahamas, Miami, and New York, among others.
Watson admitted he was the first to say, “I love you.”
However, their relationship has faced challenges since becoming public.
Watch the full video of the two below:
At least 24 civil lawsuits were filed against Watson, accusing him of sexual assault and various forms of sexual misconduct in 2020.
He has not been criminally charged, as two Texas grand juries declined to indict him following investigations in Harris and Brazoria Counties.
After being traded from the Texans to the Browns and signing a $230 million fully guaranteed contract, Watson served an 11-game suspension. He was also fined $5 million by the NFL, required to undergo mandatory evaluation by behavioral experts, and ordered to follow a treatment program. He complied with these requirements and was reinstated by the league.
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Since the trade, Watson has struggled with both his performance on the field and injuries.
Throughout the legal proceedings and public scrutiny, Watson has consistently maintained his innocence while engaging in legal battles with Houston attorney Tony Buzbee.