Deshaun Watson

Pending appeal, Watson will miss the first six games of the NFL season after 24 women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

Watson was traded after the first grand jury’s decision on nine complaints, but before the second grand jury made a decision on a 10th complaint in March 2022. Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, whom the Browns signed in March, is expected to take over as the starter with Watson sidelined. Twenty-two women sued him in 2021, specifically March and April 2021, with the other two coming in May and June 2022. Rice appealed, and in November 2014 won his case and the freedom to return to the field. During disciplinary hearings at the end of June at an undisclosed location, the NFL, Watson and the NFL Players Association made their case to Robinson, a retired federal judge who now serves as the NFL’s disciplinary officer. The last player to receive an indefinite suspension from the NFL was running back Ray Rice, who knocked out his wife on an Atlantic City elevator in February 2014.

Parties involved in the disciplinary hearing for Deshaun Watson have been informed by former U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson that the Browns quarterback ...

"The reason it's set up this way with the appeals officer, the disciplinary officer, making the initial decision and then Roger Goodell or his designee handle any appeal, is because the NFL Players Association wanted to avoid situations where the NFL suspended players based on a lack of evidence," Pelissero explained Monday on NFL Network. "In this case, had Sue L. Robinson ruled that the NFL did not prove any violation, then the NFL could not have appealed that. The Browns signed former first-round pick Josh Rosen on July 22 to add to their QB room. Watson requested a trade out of Houston following the 2020 season and before the allegations of sexual misconduct against him first surfaced. Watson's suspension follows his three-day hearing in Delaware earlier this summer before Robinson, who was jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA. The disciplinary hearing concluded on June 30. The NFL has three days to appeal Robinson's decision. The ensuing ruling would then be final.

The suspension comes following accusations of sexual misconduct made against him by two dozen women in Texas, the sources said. The NFL Players Association ...

Cleveland completed the deal on March 18 by agreeing to send Houston three first-round draft picks and six selections overall for Watson. Watson has denied all wrongdoing, insisting any sexual activity with three of the women was consensual. He started six games as a rookie before passing for 4,165 yards and 26 touchdowns in his second year. However, a week later he settled 20 of the civil lawsuits. Terms of the settlements were kept confidential. Watson, who played for four seasons with Houston before being traded to Cleveland in March, recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by massage therapists alleging sexual harassment and assault during appointments in 2020 and 2021. He repeated those comments three months later during the Browns' minicamp, insisting his only goal was to clear his name. He sat out the 2021 season. One woman alleged Watson forced her to perform oral sex. The union then could try to challenge that ruling in federal court. That is not my DNA. That is not my culture. Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games Monday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct made against him by two dozen women in Texas, two people familiar with the decision said.

Watson's suspension comes under the NFL's personal conduct policy after he was accused of sexual misconduct by women in more than two dozen civil lawsuits.

The Browns completed a trade with the Texans for Watson this offseason and signed him to a new contract worth a guaranteed $230 million over five seasons. Watson reported to Browns training camp and has been participating in practices. Buzbee said when he announced the previous 20 settlements with Watson that the terms would remain confidential. In Monday’s email, delivered before Robinson’s ruling was disclosed, Buzbee wrote of the NFL’s disciplinary process: “Although some of my clients do have strong feelings in that regard, I have nothing meaningful to say about that process. The NFLPA and Watson said in a joint statement Sunday night that they would abide by Robinson’s ruling and urged the NFL to do the same, without an appeal to Goodell. There has been speculation that Watson and the NFLPA could file a lawsuit if Watson faces a full-season suspension when the league’s appeals process is completed. The NFLPA argued the evidence presented to Robinson in those cases did not warrant the lengthy suspension the league sought. The personal conduct policy allows for a player to be disciplined without criminal charges. Before the new procedures were put in place, Goodell had been in charge of both making initial disciplinary rulings and resolving any appeals. The NFLPA then would have two business days to file a response. The case would have ended, with no appeal possible, if Robinson had ruled Watson did not violate the personal conduct policy. The suspension is without pay and comes after more than two dozen women filed civil lawsuits accusing Watson of sexual misconduct.

The NFL commissioner has made his mark generating billions of dollars for owners and players, but he has failed when confronted with standing up for women.

It does not stop us from reminding him of all the chances he had to do a larger societal good and that he failed. If Goodell doesn’t appeal, he’ll give rise to a faction of the league’s fan base, which is emboldened to continue calling the massage therapists—and really anyone fighting for the fair and equal treatment of women—horrible, unfathomable names on social media. The disgusted among us will tune in for the broadcasting car crash, as untrained commenters try to fold Watson’s reported off-field misdeeds into some kind of redemptive on-field narrative. It helps drown out the idea that a man had such a troubled relationship with dozens of massage therapists that his own franchise suggested he carry around nondisclosure agreements. The saddest part of all of this is the NFL will win no matter what Goodell decides. The league prefers pomp and circumstance, of course, parading around in pink, for example, to raise breast cancer awareness, to severely punishing a player (Ray Rice) seen on video knocking out his fiancé, or a player (Kareem Hunt) kicking a woman outside a hotel room, or a player (Greg Hardy) strangling his fiancé. Most people are not suggesting these players should have received a lifetime ban from the NFL. In fact, studies have shown that the looming weight of a lifetime ban would hamper the willingness of survivors to come forward. But the guy who reportedly has serially sexually harassed and sexually assaulted women under the guise of supporting Black-owned businesses and threatened their careers if they spoke out? It is a third of the length of the yearlong suspension handed down to Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley. Ridley gambled $1,500 on football games via a platform the league profits from and promotes relentlessly. But Robinson’s ruling, which cites “nonviolent sexual conduct” in Watson’s behavior, ignores one of the most obvious facts of the saga. One has to wonder what the space in Goodell’s own mind feels like. Perhaps NFL commissioner Roger Goodell imagines his own legacy as one of a great businessman. Whatever flicker of a moral compass existed in this league before his takeover has long been extinguished.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for six games for violating the National Football League's (NFL) personal conduct policy amid ...

In July, 30 women who "have made, or intended to make, claims" against the Houston Texans organization over the sexual misconduct allegations against Watson, have settled their claims, according to a release from the claimants' attorney Tony Buzbee and a statement issued by the Houston Texans' ownership. In June, Watson settled 20 of the 24 lawsuits brought by women accusing him of misconduct, according to an attorney for 24 accusers. Watson, who was traded to the Browns in March, has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

Now that the NFL and NFLPA's jointly appointed disciplinary officer has ruled, we answer the most pressing questions.

Watson will continue to be able to participate in practices and games during the preseason. There's nothing to suggest that will change now that the Browns have clarity on discipline from the league. The consensus within the organization in the immediate aftermath of the trade was Watson would probably be suspended in the range of four to six games, according to sources. The most Watson's side indicated it was willing to offer was a suspension in the range of six to eight games, according to sources. The best the league indicated it was willing to offer was a 12-game suspension and a significant fine -- in the range of $8 million, sources said. The appeal shall be limited to arguments why, based on the evidentiary record below, the amount of discipline, if any, should be modified."

The NFL confirmed the Browns quarterback is being suspended for violating the league's personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct ...

You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic.

The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell are determining if they want to alter Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension.

Click here to become a member of the ALL CLEMSON message board community today! In light of her findings, the league is reviewing Judge Robinson's imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps." Watson, who played at Clemson, has settled all but one while his former employer, the Houston Texans, settled 30 cases last month.

La NFL suspendió el lunes sin derecho a paga al quarterback de los Browns de Cleveland Deshaun Watson por seis partidos por violar las políticas de conducta ...

Rhonda Whitelock, presidenta del club de seguidores Touchdown Browns Backers Club, en los suburbios de Cleveland, dijo que la suspensión de seis partidos no fue suficientemente prolongada al tomar en cuenta las acusaciones de tantas mujeres. Una de las mujeres denunció que Watson la había obligado a practicarle sexo oral. Watson niega haber cometido delito alguno e insiste que toda actividad sexual con tres de las mujeres fue consentida. Se reintegraría a las prácticas en la Semana 4 y podría debutar el 23 de octubre cuando los Browns visiten a Baltimore. Se perdió al temporada de 2021 tras exigir un canje previo a que trascendieran las denuncias. El gremio de jugadores (NFLPA) podría recurrir a un tribunal federal.

El quarterback de los Cleveland Browns fue señalado por 24 mujeres que lo acusaron de conducta sexual inapropiada durante sesiones de masaje.

Los Cleveland Browns, que esperaban una sanción contra el tres veces seleccionado al Pro Bowl, contrataron al mariscal de campo Jacoby Brissett, ex de los Miami Dolphins para estar en los controles del equipo mientras Deshaun cumplía su castigo. “Anticipándonos a la decisión de la jueza Robinson, reiteramos los hechos del procedimiento. EFE.- El mariscal de campo de los Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson, recibió este lunes una sanción de seis partidos de suspensión de la temporada 2022 de la NFL por conducta sexual inapropiada.

En caso de que el quarterback de los Cleveland Browns presente una apelación, el comisionado de la NFL, Roger Goodell, podría entonces presidir sobre el ...

Se trata del contrato con la mayor cantidad de dinero garantizado en la historia de la NFL. El New York Times reportó a inicios de junio que Watson apartó citas con al menos 66 mujeres diferentes a lo largo de 17 meses, desde el otoño del 2019 hasta la primavera del 2021. Houston traspasó a Watson a los Browns en marzo, después de que el primer gran jurado anunciara que no presentaría cargos criminales en contra de Watson. Cleveland firmó a Watson a una extensión de contrato por cinco años y 230 millones de dólares a su llegada, tras convencer al tres veces elegido al Pro Bowl de anular su cláusula de no canje. También tendrá permitido regresar con los Browns para practicar durante la segunda mitad de la suspensión, en la Semana 4, de acuerdo al contrato colectivo de trabajo. Pero no tendrá permitido estar con el equipo durante la primera mitad de la suspensión. Es todo lo que puedo hacer, ser honesto y decirles exactamente lo que sucedió. Ellos tienen un trabajo y lo respeto. A inicios de junio, dos demandas más fueron interpuestas en contra de Watson, elevando el total a 24 demandas civiles. Las demandantes aseguran que las acosó, agredió y las tocó indebidamente durante sesiones de masaje cuando jugaba para los Texans. Respondí cada pregunta verazmente lo que me preguntó la NFL", dijo Watson ante la prensa en Cleveland, a mediados de junio. Hubo 23 demandas presentadas en contra de Watson desde el 16 de marzo al 14 de abril del 2021. Nunca falté el respeto a nadie. Las partes tendrían tres días para presentar una apelación por escrito.

Deshaun Watson de Cleveland Browns recibe la sanción de 6 juegos por parte de la jueza Sue Robinson, tras las denuncias por presunto acoso y abuso sexual.

Este lunes se ha dado a conocer que la jueza Sue Robinson decidió suspender por 6 partidos al quarterback de los Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson, luego de violar las políticas de conducta personal de la liga al darse a conocer las denuncias por presunto acoso y abuso sexual en contra de hasta 24 mujeres. Cabe recordar que los Browns lo adquirieron luego de pagar $230 millones de dólares, tras su paso de 4 campañas por Houston. El QB de 26 años habría resuelto 23 de las 24 demandas que interpusieron las masajistas que alegaron el acoso y la agresión sexual que sufrieron por parte del nacido en el estado de Georgia entre 2020 y 2021. El quarterback de los Cleveland Browns recibe la sanción por parte de la jueza Sue Robinson después de las denuncias por presunto acoso y abuso sexual.

Deshaun Watson is facing a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, but the league could seek a heftier ban for the QB.

Over a span of a month, 22 women filed civil lawsuits against him in 2021. Watson did not play a game for Houston in 2021 while awaiting a trade. A Texans staff member, according to the New York Times, provided Watson with non-disclosure agreements he presented massage therapists. An additional lawsuit was filed but dropped by the plaintiff when the judge ruled that she must include her name on the petition. “Although our organization did not have any knowledge of Deshaun Watson's alleged misconduct, we have intentionally chosen to resolve this matter amicably. The league has until Thursday to appeal the suspension. The Browns acquired Watson in a trade and signed him to a five-year, $230 million deal in March. It is the largest fully guaranteed contract in NFL history. The Times also reported the Texans arranged for Watson to stay at The Houstonian, a hotel and spa in Houston, where some of Watson’s massage sessions occurred. Watson agreed to settlements in three lawsuits on Monday, while he reached settlements in 20 of the prior suits on June 21. If the NFL decides to appeal the suspension in favor of a longer one, the league would have three days to submit an appeal in writing. “Regardless of her decision, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling and we call on the NFL to do the same,” the NFLPA said. However, Robinson determined that by seeking to suspend Watson for at least a year before he could apply for reinstatement, the NFL was "attempting to impose a more dramatic shift in its culture without the benefit of fair notice."

Our Business of Football columnist analyzes the factors that influenced Sue L. Robinson's decision on the Browns' quarterback.

The Browns minimized the financial hit to Watson with a structure of primarily signing bonus in the first year—a year nearly certain to include a suspension—and minimum salary, the only monies subject to suspension forfeiture. It is hard to speculate as to the amount of each settlement, or even as to whether they are all a similar amount, but there are now 53 suits settled arising from Watson’s behavior: 23 by Watson and 30 by the Texans. Although it is always hard to compare sins and their degree of bad behavior, the appearance of capricious discipline for things such as domestic violence, deflation of footballs, making (legal) sports bets, etc., has not been a good look. As to Browns’ supporters who have said that the team structures all its contracts that way: Have the Browns ever structured a contract that way for a player facing certain suspension under the NFL personal conduct policy? That will happen here at some point, although the stain on Watson, the Browns and the NFL is fresh now. Well, there appears to be a determination made—without explanation in the opinion—that Watson’s conduct was “non-violent,” and that the largest NFL sanction for non-violent violations of the personal conduct policy was a three-game suspension (for an unnamed player). Indeed, Robinson scolds the NFL for asking for a “post-hoc” punishment not relevant to the applicable situation. Although they may profess disappointment on the length of the suspension, behind closed doors they are likely pleased, so much so that they preemptively put out a joint statement with the NFLPA that they would not appeal the ruling, calling on the NFL to do the same. Watson is barred from seeking massage from therapists outside of the team for the rest of his career. As a lawyer, I look at precedent first, and the precedent for Watson was, I thought, not good. And that is still the most powerful person in the process, if it gets to that point. The issue of commissioner discipline and Goodell’s overreach had been a bargaining priority for the NFLPA for the past 15 years, and the process finally changed, albeit in part also due to Goodell’s own bosses. I have been critical of the NFLPA for what I perceive as deficiencies in recent CBAs, but I must give credit where credit is due here.

The N.F.L. must decide whether to uphold Watson's six-game suspension or impose a more severe penalty. Its choice will speak volumes, writes our columnist.

Watson was not charged in criminal court and settled with all but one of his accusers. The N.F.L. has been way off the mark, far too lenient regarding policing itself and meting out penalties that back up its talk on women. It’s time to start correcting the course. The N.F.L. does not have to accept Robinson’s recommendation, especially not in a case in which the player’s contract has been structured, as Watson’s was, to avoid a significant financial hit for a suspension. The Washington Post reported that Snyder settled a sexual misconduct claim that stemmed from an incident in 2009. “We brace ourselves for this kind of disappointment,” Sondra Miller, president of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, said in an interview on Monday. “It’s a common feeling that offenders are not held accountable for their actions. The most common discipline for “domestic or gendered violence and sexual acts is a six-game suspension,” Robinson noted. The league is a private entity. When he signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the Browns in March, the team agreed to a base salary of $1 million, meaning Watson will lose just over $300,000 in game checks during his six-game suspension. He can also levy a fine that would claw back some of the nearly $45 million Watson got from the Browns as a signing bonus. Goodell can opt for a longer suspension, a decision the union and Watson would most likely challenge in federal court. He purposely touched the women repeatedly with his penis.

La NFL suspendió el lunes al quarterback de los Browns de Cleveland por seis juegos por violar las políticas de conducta personal de la NFL tras las ...

Watson niega haber cometido delito alguno e insiste que toda actividad sexual con tres de las mujeres fue consentida. Una de las mujeres denunció que Watson la había obligado a practicarle sexo oral. Se perdió al temporada de 2021 tras exigir un canje previo a que trascendieran las denuncias. Se reintegraría a las prácticas en la Semana 4 y podría debutar el 23 de octubre cuando los Browns visiten a Baltimore. El gremio de jugadores (NFLPA) podría recurrir a un tribunal federal. La NFL suspendió el lunes al quarterback de los Browns de Cleveland Deshaun Watson por seis partidos por violar las políticas de conducta personal de la liga tras las denuncias de abuso sexual presentadas en su contra por 24 mujeres, en lo que una jueza disciplinaria describió como una conducta “más atroz de lo que la NFL había revisado previamente”.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games Monday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy following accusations by two ...

Cleveland completed the deal on March 18 by agreeing to send Houston three first-round draft picks and six selections overall for Watson. “My role was to advance the cause of my clients, in civil court — nothing more. He started six games as a rookie before passing for 4,165 yards and 26 touchdowns in his second year. Watson can continue to practice and play in exhibition games before his suspension begins the first week of the regular season. However, a week later he settled 20 of the civil lawsuits. Terms of the settlements were kept confidential. Watson has denied all wrongdoing, insisting any sexual activity with three of the women was consensual. Beyond that we can’t speculate and have no comment on the decision.” Watson, a three-time Pro Bowl pick with the Texans, has seen his playing career stalled by the allegations. That is not my DNA. That is not my culture. His $45 million signing bonus is not affected by the suspension. The NFL Players Association already stated it would abide by Robinson’s ruling.

La oficial disciplinaria de la NFL, Sue L. Robinson, impuso sanción de seis juegos al quarterback Deshaun Watson que tenía 24 demandas por acosos y abuso ...

La NFL pasó más de un año investigando 24 demandas y 10 denuncias penales que acusaban a Watson de comportamiento lascivo y coercitivo mientras recibía masajes de mujeres. La primera demanda se presentó el 16 de marzo de 2021. Robinson presidió la audiencia disciplinaria de Watson del 28 al 30 de junio.

The New England Patriots are not likely to face Deshaun Watson this season, after Sue Robinson handed down a six game suspension for the quarterback.

The Deshaun Watson situation has been horrible, to say the least, to follow. The Patriots are traveling to Cleveland for this game, so it helps that Watson likely isn’t playing. The New England Patriots are not likely to face Deshaun Watson this season, after Sue Robinson handed down a six game suspension for the quarterback.

Deshaun Watson is suspended for six games, after the NFL and NFLPA's jointly appointed disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson issued her ruling.

"I know they have a job and I have to respect that, and that's what we wanted to do was cooperate, and they have to make a decision best for the league." The 6-game suspension given dangerously mirrors the flaws in our criminal justice systems and sends a grave message to our communities. Watson's is the first case to be heard by Robinson as part of the new league discipline policy agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 2020. With the six games suspension, the Browns will look towards backup Jacoby Brissett to lead the team until Watson's return in Week 7. "Throughout this process, Deshaun and his representatives have abided by the newly created and agreed upon process for the NFLPA and the NFL to defer to the objective Judge Sue. L. Robinson to comprehensively review all information and make a fair decision. Some time has passed since his last game was played in January 2021, but he has been often present for workouts and training both at the Browns facilities in Berea as well as with outside trainers like esteemed QBs coach Quincy Avery. Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office. In March, two separate Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints stemming from the allegations. In light of her findings, the league is reviewing Judge Robinson’s imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps.” Stefanski said multiple times Watson is "looking to be the best version of himself." This is why, regardless of her decision, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling and we call on the NFL to do the same. CLEVELAND — Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended following the NFL’s investigation into allegations made by two dozen women who accused him of sexual assault and harassment.

24 mujeres habían demandado a Deshaun Watson, mariscal de campo de los Browns de Cleveland, por agresión sexual o conducta sexual inapropiada.

Los incidentes fueron descritos como "derivados de sesiones de terapia de masaje", según un comunicado en el sitio web de la NFL. Mencionaría, Deshaun lo ha dicho, que está trabajando para ser la mejor versión de sí mismo. Él ha negado repetidamente las acusaciones en su contra y dijo que no se arrepiente de ninguna de sus acciones. Goodell o su designado "emitirán una decisión por escrito que constituirá una disposición plena, final y completa de la disputa y será vinculante para el jugador", según el acuerdo. El fallo se produce después de que varias mujeres que trabajaban como terapeutas de masaje presentaran demandas contra Watson alegando agresión sexual o conducta inapropiada durante las sesiones de masaje. En su fallo, Robinson criticó a la NFL por pedir una suspensión de temporada completa sin precedentes que sería mucho más prolongada que la de otros jugadores acusados de conducta sexual no violenta.

Una jueza disciplinaria lo describió como una conducta “más atroz de lo que la NFL había revisado previamente”

Watson niega haber cometido delito alguno e insiste que toda actividad sexual con tres de las mujeres fue consentida. Una de las mujeres denunció que Watson la había obligado a practicarle sexo oral. Se perdió al temporada de 2021 tras exigir un canje previo a que trascendieran las denuncias. Se reintegraría a las prácticas en la Semana 4 y podría debutar el 23 de octubre cuando los Browns visiten a Baltimore. El gremio de jugadores (NFLPA) podría recurrir a un tribunal federal. La NFL suspendió el lunes al quarterback de los Browns de Cleveland Deshaun Watson por seis partidos por violar las políticas de conducta personal de la liga tras las denuncias de abuso sexual presentadas en su contra por 24 mujeres, en lo que una jueza disciplinaria describió como una conducta “más atroz de lo que la NFL había revisado previamente”.

Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension will stand only if the NFL allows it. The punishment given to the Cleveland Browns quarterback by disciplinary officer ...

Accepting Robinson's decision leaves the NFL open to criticism because it could be perceived as lenient. Back then, Goodell had authority to impose discipline for violations of the personal conduct policy. “Just as the NFL responded to violent conduct after a public outcry, so it seems the NFL is responding to yet another public outcry about Mr. Watson's conduct. Robinson was referring to the league changing its personal conduct policy in 2014 after former Baltimore Ravens star running back Ray Rice was initially suspended two games for domestic violence. “The NFL may be a ‘forward-facing' organization, but it is not necessarily a forward-looking one,” Robinson wrote in the conclusion to her 16-page report on the suspension. The union already announced Sunday night it would abide by Robinson's ruling.

Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson, who settled 23 of 24 civil suits over lewd behavior, receives "weak" punishment, say experts.

What’s sad is that it further reveals a pattern in which we shift the blame from perpetrator to victims, and it’s not okay.” “It’s clear,” says D’Anniballe, “the message that if this happens again, ‘Yeah, well, we’ll probably do the same,’ which is, look into it and talk a good game, but in the end, not do too much about it.” I can say, based on the literally thousands and thousands of sexual assault survivors I’ve worked with in the field, is that the impact is no less devastating.” The majority of the time, in sexual assault cases, the force is by emotional force or coercive force or threats or other forms of manipulation. The NFL, however, has leeway to hand out punishment, despite the conclusions of criminal courts. “Because a defense attorney can usually say, ‘Well, they’re coming after my client for some other motive, and usually that motive is money.'” What I want to scream from the rooftops is the fact that in about 80% of sexual assault cases, there is no physical violence. But she then landed on a punishment that doesn’t seem to fit the alleged crime. Despite these legal woes, the Browns traded for Watson, who played for the Houston Texans, and signed him to a guaranteed $230 million contract extension in March. Critics lambasted the move as callous, and further evidence of a sporting culture that values winning above all. Tom Brady received a four-game suspension in 2015, since it was “more probable than not” that he was “at least generally aware” of a football deflation “scandal.” In 2018, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks received an indefinite suspension after he was found guilty of insider trading: he missed eight games. They alleged that Watson exposed his erect penis and intentionally contacted the therapists’ hands and arms with it. But on Monday, she heard that an arbitrator handed Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson a six-game suspension after 24 women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson received a six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Here are the takeaways.

But after these world-record leaps in logic, the league has to throw a challenge flag. One of the therapists alleges that Mr. Watson no only contacted her arm multiple times, but that he ejaculated on her arm.” Atlanta receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for at least a year after he bet on NFL games while he was away from the team during the 2021 season. According to his accusers, he’d follow up with text messages to make sure the therapists were comfortable massaging certain parts of his body, especially his lower back, glutes, abs and groin area. It wanted this new system to work, with a disciplinary officer hearing these cases and issuing rulings that both the league and NFL Players Assn. could stomach. Watson’s alleged pattern: He’d reach out to therapists on Instagram, identify himself as an NFL quarterback and say he urgently wanted to schedule a massage for that day.

How did retired federal judge Sue L. Robinson explain her suspension decision, and how did she land on six games? Here's what we learned.

As "aggravating factors" (that is, reasons to increase the suspension), she cites Watson's "lack of expressed remorse and his tardy notice to the NFL of the first-filed lawsuit." In Footnote 51 on Page 15, Robinson notes that argument while writing the personal conduct policy is equally applicable to team owners and management. If the league wants to do what it did post-Rice and adjust its policy to account for the type of behavior Watson is herein found guilty of, it should do that -- then everyone would know. Just as the NFL responded to violent conduct after a public outcry, so it seems the NFL is responding to yet another public outcry about Mr. Watson's conduct." While it may be entirely appropriate to more severely discipline players for non-violent sexual conduct, I do not believe it is appropriate to do so without notice of the extraordinary change this position portends for the NFL and its players." These are very specific types of violations, and Robinson states on Page 13, "It is undisputed that Mr. Watson's conduct does not fall into the category of violent conduct that would require the minimum 6-game suspension." But Robinson looks at that differently and writes, "By ignoring past decisions because none involve 'similar' conduct, the NFL is not just equating violent conduct with non-violent conduct, but has elevated the importance of the latter without any substantial evidence to support its position. The league proposed suspending Watson for the entire 2022 season and postseason and that he not be permitted to return until he satisfied certain conditions for reinstatement. Robinson found the four women in question convincing based on circumstantial evidence (including the fact they said they would have refused to work with him again after the alleged incidents) and found Watson's blanket denial of all wrongdoing difficult to accept in light of what she called the "credible testimony of the investigators." Having found Watson guilty of violating the league's personal conduct policy, Robinson moves on to the question of whether the league's proposed discipline was justified. The NFL interviewed 12 of the 24 women who were suing Watson for damages in civil court and "relied for its conclusions on the testimony of 4 therapists, as well as interviews of some 37 other third parties." Meaning, if she had found no violation occurred (and thus no discipline was warranted), the league would not have had the right to appeal.

The Cincinnati Bengals will face Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns twice in 2022, but Cincy's game plan remains the same: win the AFC North.

On Monday, former federal judge Sue L. Robinson ruled that Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be suspended six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Cincinnati will face the Browns in Week 8 and Week 14, so unless the NFL appeals for Watson’s suspension to be extended to at least eight games, Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson will square off twice this year. The Cincinnati Bengals will face Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns twice in 2022, but Cincy’s game plan remains the same: win the AFC North.

The NFL aimed for a one-year suspension and lost, leaving the job of holding the Browns' quarterback responsible to us.

It matters because the way we view Watson is not just about Watson. It’s a signal to millions of survivors. But between this suspension and his previous paid leave of absence, he has already missed more than a full year of his career, and most telling is how few of his fellow major leaguers have defended him. Major League Baseball suspended disgraced pitcher Trevor Bauer for two full seasons without a criminal conviction because of the horrifying accounts about him. Sports are an escape, and a lot of fans (especially in Cleveland) might be tempted to view Watson solely as a football player. They tore up Watson’s old deal, signed him to a new one worth $230 million, and back-loaded it so that if he was suspended this season, the financial penalty would be minimal (the Browns deny this). It’s a piddling punishment, and it reinforces what has been clear since the Browns made him the face of their franchise last winter: The job of holding Watson responsible is ours. Whatever. The Browns don’t care about Watson’s conduct, and they are counting on their fans not caring. The NFL aimed for a one-year suspension and lost. Don’t gush about him on TV the way Stephen A. Smith gushed about Floyd Mayweather, who was convicted of domestic abuse three times. These allegations should stick to Watson for the rest of his career. The arbitrator, former federal judge Sue L. Robinson, was limited by the personal conduct policy and the failure of the legal system. The legal system is poorly equipped for these kinds of cases, even when there are so many of them.

Suspension makes it clear: Arbitrator Sue L. Robinson is calling for the NFL to wake up and improve both its understanding and policies surrounding sexual ...

All it took was the hiring of a former federal judge and a high-profile embarrassment of a suspension to make that clear. “Defining prohibited conduct plays a critical role in the rule of law, enabling people to predict the consequences of their behavior.” Goodell is surrounded by attorneys the way a good old oak is smothered by lantern flies this time of year, so hopefully someone will grab his ear and explain that this ruling was as much a finger wag at the NFL as it was the quarterback. The very basic tenets of the information handed to Robinson could be flawed. In short, Robinson is calling for the NFL to wake up and improve both its understanding and policies surrounding sexual harassment, assault and misconduct. The league likely did so understanding that its treatment of past players made suspending Watson for that long impossible.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, disciplinary officer and former ...

- "We know Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many and he will continue the work needed to show who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him." - The NFL has three days to submit a written appeal, per the New York Times. The NFLPA has already indicated it would not appeal and called on the NFL to do the same, in astatement they released on Sunday. The big picture: The decision was made by Robinson, a retired federal judge appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA to oversee player discipline, per the report.

Deshaun Watson, newly of the Cleveland Browns, will return from his suspension for a game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Let’s give him the welcome wagon that he deserves. I truly cannot imagine what it’s going to be like for Watson to walk out of that tunnel on Week 7. Bear with me, because this might seem like a non-sequitur, but I promise I’ll bring it back around. I feel like the decision, if it stands, was a mistake, for more reasons than one. Coach Harbaugh let his feelings be known following practice, allowing us to read between the lines. The demise of Kyle Hamilton is greatly exaggerated. Ravens racked up sacks from the outside, the inside and with good coverage. Among those donning the full shells at practice was a big body finally making his first appearance. — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens)August 1, 2022 This week, we get to reintroduce one of the key elements that makes a football environment so exciting. — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens)August 1, 2022 There’s an energy unlike pretty much any other sporting environment, and the faithful at The Bank brings that energy better than pretty much any other crowd out there.