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SPORTS Tuesday 2 augusT 2022
Browns QB Watson suspended 6 games, NFL weighs appeal

By ROB MAADDI en.
AP Sports Writers Watson, a three-time Pro
Cleveland Browns quar- Bowl pick with the Texans,
terback Deshaun Wat- has seen his playing career
son was suspended for six stalled by the allegations.
games Monday after be- He sat out the 2021 season
ing accused by two dozen after demanding a trade
women in Texas of sexual before the allegations
misconduct during mas- came out.
sage treatments, in what a In their lawsuits, the women
disciplinary officer said was accused Watson of expos-
behavior “more egregious ing himself, touching them
than any before reviewed with his penis or kissing them
by the NFL.” against their will. One wom-
The punishment handed an alleged Watson forced
out by the game’s disciplin- her to perform oral sex.
ary officer, former federal Watson has denied all
judge Sue L. Robinson, fell wrongdoing, insisting any
well short of what the NFL sexual activity with three
had asked for: an open- of the women was consen-
ended suspension of at sual. He publicly insisted his
least a year for violating the Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson stretches during the NFL football team’s training goal was to clear his name
league’s personal conduct camp, Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. before agreeing to con-
policy. Associated Press fidential financial settle-
Watson, who played for ments with 20 of the wom-
four seasons with Houston terms of the CBA. The union havior,” she wrote. “It is He can return to practice en June 21.
before being traded to then could try to challenge inherently unfair to iden- in Week 4 and would be “This case started because
Cleveland in March, re- that ruling in federal court. tify conduct as prohibited eligible to play on Oct. 23 one woman had the forti-
cently settled 23 of 24 law- The league had pushed for only after the conduct has when the Browns play at tude to step forward and
suits filed by women alleg- a suspension of at least a been committed, just as it is Baltimore. make her voice heard,”
ing sexual harassment and year and the $5 million fine inherently unjust to change He waved toward cheer- said attorney Tony Buzbee,
assault during the treat- for the 26-year-old Watson the penalties for such con- ing fans while he and his who represents the women
ments in 2020 and 2021. during a three-day hearing duct after the fact.” teammates began their in the civil lawsuits. “Her
The NFL has three days to before Robinson in June, Robinson rejected Wat- stretching period before courage inspired many
appeal the decision. two people familiar with son’s denials of wrongdoing practice Monday in Berea, others with the same expe-
“Although this is the most the discussions told The As- and considered his “lack of Ohio. “We got your back, rience. None of this saga
significant punishment ever sociated Press on condition expressed remorse” to be Watson!” yelled one. would have occurred with-
imposed on an NFL player of anonymity because the an aggravating factor. With an appeal still pos- out that one brave voice.
for allegations of nonviolent hearing wasn’t public. “As to mitigating factors, sible, Browns owners Dee One person can make a
sexual conduct, Mr. Wat- The NFL presented a 215- he is a first offender and and Jimmy Haslam de- difference.
son’s pattern of conduct is page report based on had an excellent reputa- layed commenting until Buzbee said that although
more egregious than any testimony from four of 12 tion in his community prior practice ended. some of his clients “have
before reviewed by the women interviewed by to these events. He coop- “We respect Judge Rob- strong feelings” about the
NFL,” Robinson wrote in the league investigators, and erated in the investigation inson’s decision, and at NFL’s proceedings, he not-
conclusion to her 16-page 37 other third parties. Rob- and has paid restitution,” the same time, empathize ed that the civil process
report. inson determined, based she wrote. and understand that there and the NFL’s disciplinary
Even though the only dis- on the league’s burden of Watson, who signed a fully have been many individu- process “are very differ-
cipline in the collective proof, that Watson violated guaranteed $230 million, als triggered throughout ent.” On the suspension
bargaining agreement is three provisions of the per- five-year contract, will lose this process,” the Haslams decision, Buzbee noted
a fine or suspension, Rob- sonal conduct policy: sexu- only $345,000 if the suspen- said. “We know Deshaun is that his legal team was not
inson mandated as con- al assault; conduct posing sion is unchanged because remorseful that this situation involved in that process.
dition of reinstatement a genuine danger to the his base salary this season is has caused much heart- “We don’t know what was
that Watson should “limit safety and well-being of $1.035 million. His $45 million ache to many and he will presented to Judge Rob-
his massage therapy to another person; and con- signing bonus is not affect- continue the work needed inson by the NFL’s lawyers.
Club-directed sessions and duct that undermines or ed by the suspension. to show who he is on and We don’t know how the
Club-approved massage puts at risk the integrity of In a statement, the league off the field, and we will NFL’s case was presented,”
therapists” for the rest of his the NFL. said it is “reviewing Judge continue to support him.” he said, adding that “only
career. Robinson noted the league Robinson’s imposition of a After learning the ruling a small fraction of those
She added that Watson acknowledged at the six-game suspension and was imminent, the NFLPA is- women that we represent
must have “no adverse hearing that its recom- will make a determination sued a joint statement with were ever spoken to by the
involvement with law en- mended punishment was on next steps.” Watson on Sunday night, NFL’s lawyers. Beyond that,
forcement and must not “unprecedented” and she This was the first case for saying they will not appeal we can’t speculate and
commit any additional concluded the NFL should Robinson, who was jointly and urged the league to have no comment on the
violations” of the personal not change its standards appointed by the NFL and follow suit. The union had decision.”
conduct policy. of discipline for nonviolent the union to handle player argued Watson shouldn’t Watson’s high-profile case
The NFL Players Association sexual assault without giv- misconduct a role previ- be punished at all because has renewed scrutiny of the
has said it would abide by ing fair notice to players. ously held by Goodell. he was not convicted of a league’s handling of player
Robinson’s ruling. If either “Defining prohibited con- Watson can continue to crime. misbehavior, along with its
side appeals, NFL Com- duct plays a critical role in practice and play in ex- Two grand juries in Texas support for women, and
missioner Roger Goodell the rule of law, enabling hibition games before his declined to indict Wat- left the Browns wondering if
or someone he designates people to predict the suspension begins the first son on criminal complaints they’ll ever find a franchise
will make the decision, per consequences of their be- week of the regular season. brought by 10 of the wom- quarterback.q