Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games for “heinous” acts of “sexualized contact” with massage therapists. a league disciplinary official ruled Monday.
The NFL has three days to appeal the findings of the retired federal judge Sue L. Robinsonwho presided over the disciplinary hearing and issued the resolution.
Robinson ruled that there is “sufficient circumstantial evidence to support the NFL’s contention” that Watson sought sexual contact with several massage therapists he contacted through social media.
The quarterback “knew that this sexual contact was unwanted,” the judge added.
But he questioned the NFL’s desire to bench Watson through 2022.
“In the NFL’s view, if this recommended sentence is unprecedented (as characterized by Mr. Watson and the NFLPA), it is because his conduct is unprecedented,” Robinson added.
“It is inherently unfair to identify conduct as prohibited only after it has been committed, just as it is inherently unfair to change the penalties for that conduct after the fact.”
The most typical suspensions for acts of domestic violence have been six-game bans, according to Robinson, who added that Watson is entitled to some mitigating considerations.
He is a “first-time offender”, had “an excellent reputation in his community prior to these events” and was already marginalized throughout. 2021 like these accusations was flying over him, according to the judge.
“Mr. Watson is suspended for six (6) regular season games without pay,” it ruled. “While this is the most significant punishment ever imposed on an NFL player for allegations of non-violent sexual conduct, Mr. Watson’s pattern of conduct is more egregious than any previously reviewed by the NFL.”
Watson was also ordered to limit her massages to “club-led sessions and club-approved massage therapists”.
The NFL said Monday it is evaluating the ruling and determining next steps.
Watson’s attorney and representatives for the Browns and the National Football League Players Association could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
Watson was on the practice field Monday in Berea, Ohio, when he was greeted warmly by cheering fans and mobbed by youngsters seeking autographs.
Coach Kevin Stefanski spoke to reporters for about 10 minutes after practice, with only about 30 seconds of that session not devoted to questions about Watson.
Stefanski said he was limited to what he could discuss. “This was collectively bargained (NFL disciplinary process), so I want to respect Judge Robinson and her opinion,” he said.
The coach said he still plans to play Watson in preseason games, although the QB will likely be out for at least the first third of the season.
Stefanski said he has faith in the quarterback. “I’m sure Deshaun will make good decisions on and off the field,” he said.
In his ruling, Robinson criticized Watson for his “lack of expressed remorse”.
But Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, in a joint statement, insisted the opposite was true.
“We respect Judge Robinson’s decision, and at the same time, we empathize and understand that there have been many individuals unleashed throughout this process,” they said.
“We know that Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused so much grief to so many and that he will continue to work to prove who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him.”
The National Organization of Women he said the six-match ban falls short, calling it “unacceptable, insulting and dangerous, but not surprising”.
“The NFL has had a problem with violence against women for years, and everyone knows it,” the group said in a statement. “Deshaun Watson must not be allowed to take advantage of his horrific behavior, and the NFL must change its business model that allows, allows and hides inappropriate sexual conduct to one that respects women and holds perpetrators accountable” .
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract with the Browns in March amid allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions with more than 20 women.
He has already missed a considerable amount of time on the field, having not played for the Houston Texans all of last season as his legal challenges unfolded and the team. I was looking to trade it.
Few, if any, American companies are more closely scrutinized for their handling of employee domestic violence incidents than the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was initially suspended for just two games in 2014 after disturbing surveillance video showed him knocking out his future wife and dragging her body out of an elevator.
The rice was finally suspended indefinitely but the seemingly light initial discipline forced the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to admit: “I didn’t get it right. Simply put, we need to do better. And we will.”
Other notable cases domestic violence suspensions in recent years have included: Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (six games in 2017); Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (10 games in 2015) i Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (four games in 2018).
The attorney representing the women who accused Watson of misconduct announced confidential settlements in 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits.
“This case began because one woman had the strength to step forward and make her voice heard. Her courage inspired many others with the same experience,” said attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the plaintiffs. in the case, in a statement. “None of this saga would have happened without this brave voice. One person can make a difference.
Buzbee declined to talk substantively about any NFL action against Watson.
“I’ve said at the beginning that the civil process and the NFL disciplinary process are very different,” he said. “My role was to advance my clients’ cause, in a civil court, nothing more.”
Watson’s accusers allege he touched them inappropriately after hiring them as massage therapists and personal trainers.
Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson in March. District attorneys in both cases did not explain why grand juries declined to indict.
Watson has denied wrongdoing.
His attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a June statement: “Deshaun Watson did nothing wrong. And as two grand juries have made clear, Deshaun did nothing illegal.”
“Deshaun has always acknowledged consensual sexual activity with three of the plaintiff massage therapists after the massages. And Deshaun has repeatedly sworn under oath that he did not force any of his accusers to have sexual contact.”
Watson, a 26-year-old native of Gainesville, Georgia, and alumnus of Clemson University, has been in the NFL since 2017. He had his best season in 2020 with the Texans, leading the league with 4,823 yards passing along with 33 touchdowns.
A six-game suspension would make Watson eligible to play in the Browns’ seventh game this coming season on October 23 when Cleveland is set to visit the Baltimore Ravens.
The Browns, who traded for the marauding quarterback in Marchit could be left officer Jacoby Brissett as its beginning callsign in Watson’s absence.
by Watson Status 2022 has been the subject of widespread speculation among football fans for months.
Football punters for weeks have been able to bet on the number of wins a particular team will achieve this campaign. But major books like FanDuel and DraftKings didn’t set a line for the Browns before Monday, due to Watson’s uncertain status.
