The NFL is seeking an indefinite suspension of at least a year plus a fine to appeal a disciplinary officer’s decision to suspend Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for six games for violating the league’s personal conduct guidelines, one with the filing said person familiar to The Associated Press.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is not public knowledge, also said Watson would need to undergo treatment before he could be reinstated. The league initially recommended an $8 million fine and requested a $5 million fine in settlement negotiations that never materialized, another person involved in the talks told the AP.
The NFL’s appeal gives Commissioner Roger Goodell, or someone he designates, the authority to impose a more severe sentence. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said it has yet to be determined whether Goodell or someone else will hear the appeal.
Former federal judge Sue L. Robinson issued her verdict Monday after Watson was accused by two dozen Texas women of sexual misconduct during massage treatments while playing for the Houston Texans.
In her 16-page report, Robinson described Watson’s behavior as “more egregious than any previously reviewed by the NFL.”
Robinson’s punishment — in her first instance since her joint appointment by the league and the NFL Players Association — fell well short of the league’s goal of an indefinite suspension of at least a year.
Therefore, the NFL exercised its right to appeal under the collective agreement on Wednesday.
The players’ union has until close of business on Friday to comment in writing. The union could challenge the appeal verdict in federal court, setting the stage for a longer fight.
McCarthy said there was no timeline for Goodell or his designee to make a decision.
In accordance with the league’s personal conduct policy, the appeal will be processed expeditiously. It is also “limited to the examination of the disciplinary conditions imposed” and “on the basis of a review of the existing records without reference to any evidence or testimony not previously considered”.
The policy also states that “the decision of the Commissioner or his designee, which may waive, reduce, modify or increase the discipline previously issued, shall be final and binding on all parties”.
This is the first time since the signing of the new CBA in 2020 that the league and NFLPA have turned to a jointly appointed disciplinary officer to determine violations of the personal conduct policy. In the past, Goodell has served as a judge and jury to impose penalties on players.
Through the appeal, the NFL returns that power to Goodell, who can choose another person to issue a punishment.
A league official told the AP ahead of the conclusion of Watson’s three-day disciplinary hearing in June that the NFL wanted to avoid an appeal.
But the league went ahead with one despite backlash from some fans and heavy public pressure in the media. Other factors include Watson’s lack of remorse, which Robinson noted in her report.
Watson, who played four seasons with the Texans before sitting out last season and then being traded to Cleveland in March, recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by women alleging sexual harassment or assault during massage treatments in 2020 and 2021 claimed. Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal charges from 10 of the women.
Robinson concluded that Watson violated three provisions of the Personal Conduct Policy: sexual assault; conduct that poses a real threat to the safety and well-being of another person; and conduct that undermines or threatens the integrity of the NFL.
She declined to ban Watson for a full year based on precedent and current league politics. But Robinson concluded that a longer suspension might be warranted if it were already outlined in the personal conduct policy.
“While it may be entirely appropriate to more severely discipline players for nonviolent sexual conduct, I do not believe it is appropriate to do so without advance notice of the extraordinary change this position represents for the NFL and its players,” Robinson wrote in her report.
Watson has continued to practice with the Browns while awaiting resolution of his case, which has raised questions about the league’s handling of off-field player behavior, discrepancies in their personal conduct policy and their general support for women.
The Browns have also been in a state of limbo, not knowing when or if Watson can play this season.
Cleveland traded three first-round picks to Houston for the three-time Pro Bowl QB and signed a five-year, $230 million contract.
Watson will only lose $345,000 if the suspension remains unchanged as his base salary this season is $1.035 million.
Watson didn’t comment to the AP when asked for a reaction to the league’s appeal decision. He was then escorted to the Browns’ facility by a member of the team’s security personnel.
The three-time Pro Bowler had just finished Cleveland’s seventh practice session at boot camp and was still on the field when the league’s appeal announcement was released.
Watson had a chat with Peter Jean-Baptiste, the team’s vice president of communications, before spending a few minutes signing autographs for service members and their families.
He was hugged by a woman who said she told Watson to “stay strong”.
support for survivors
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and needs support, you can find province-specific centers, hotlines and services in Canada here. A list of resources and references is provided for readers in America here.
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