Deshaun Watson

The NFL's disciplinary officer finds Deshaun Watson engaged in sexual assault and showed no remorse, but her punishment falls well short of the year-long ...

Watson has denied all wrongdoing, insisting any sexual activity with three of the women was consensual. He cooperated in the investigation and has paid restitution," she wrote. And she said Watson must have "no adverse involvement with law enforcement and must not commit any additional violations" of the personal conduct policy. and I believe that". She said there were people in the group who were "disgusted" by the team's decision to trade for Watson and would not watch the Browns anymore. Robinson said the league acknowledged at the hearing that its recommended punishment was "unprecedented" and she concluded the NFL should not change its standards of discipline for non-violent sexual assault without giving fair notice to players.

m QB star's NFL fate finally decided after sexual misconduct allegations.

“We appreciate Judge Robinson’s diligence and professionalism throughout this process,” the NFL said in a statement. She said that in selecting the length of the ban, she considered “the record when compared to the relevant precedent” in prior NFL suspensions and considered “how this disciplinary determination might be used in the future.” “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.”

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be suspended for six games following a lengthy investigation into his alleged off-field ...

Should Goodell and the league decide to appeal, they will issue a formal written decision that “will constitute full, final and complete disposition of the dispute,” per terms of Article 46 in the CBA. The players association is understandably hoping Goodell and the league will honor their original agreement to allow a jointly appointed neutral arbitrator to make this decision. Should the league decide to approach the suspension with a heavier hand (12-plus contests), they maintain the power to do so. Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league indicated they were willing to settle on a 12-game suspension with a heavy fine (reportedly in the $8 million range). Given that Watson’s actual suspension didn’t contain any financial penalties and was roughly half (six games) of what the league hoped for, Goodell may appeal Robinson’s decision. Earlier this week, it was reported Watson and the league engaged in additional settlement discussions, a process that was common throughout the investigation. On Sunday, the player’s union released a statement indicating they would “stand by” Robinson’s ruling and urged the NFL to do the same. The ruling was handed down by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, who the NFL and NFLPA hired to serve as a jointly appointed neutral arbitrator.

Judge Sue L. Robinson announced the length of Deshaun Watson's suspension on Monday. Here's how she reached her verdict.

Regardless of what the league chooses to do, Robinson essentially advised the league to review its personal conduct policy in her memo. "As I stated earlier, it is the NFL's policy and it can set the rules," Robinson wrote. The NFL has three days to decide whether to appeal Robinson's decision. It likewise is undisputed that prior cases involving non-violent sexual assault have resulted in discipline far less severe than what the NFL proposes here, with the most severe penalty being a 3-game suspension for a player who had been previously warned about his conduct. The NFL had initially pushed for a year-long suspension for Watson, who was accused of sexual assault and misconduct in 24 civil lawsuits. "At least in the former situation, the Policy was changed and applied proactively.

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 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.

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson had a certain habit in massages that became a key piece of evidence in Sue L. Robinson's suspension decision.

“Hand towels and wash cloths are not generally used for draping the groin areas as they do not provide adequate coverage, warmth or boundaries for a massage.” The towel evidence helped show his intent and purpose, according to her ruling, which also found that Watson knew such sexualized contact with these women was unwanted by them. “We communicated with that and that's how it was.” Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, previously told USA TODAY Sports this was a personal preference for Watson and not evidence of any unwanted intent. All but one of those 24 lawsuits since has ended with a confidential settlement, according to the attorney for the women, Tony Buzbee. And did he know such contact was unwanted by these women? Robinson, the NFL's independent disciplinary officer, handed down a six-game suspension against Watson Monday after he was sued by 24 women who accused him of sexual misconduct in massage sessions in 2020 and early 2021. He insisted on having the therapists focus on areas of his body that not uncommonly triggered erections. “He insisted on using a towel, increasing the probability of exposure. Professional massage therapists typically provide larger sheets to drape clients as a way to avoid unwanted exposure of their clients’ private parts. Did he do so for a sexual purpose? In these cases, the women generally said Watson exposed his genitals to them in massage sessions and caused his genitals to touch them – conduct that was made easier by his insistence on using a smaller towel instead of a sheet, according to Robinson’s ruling.

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.

Fresh off an NCAA championship with Clemson, the Houston Texans quarterback exceeded all expectations in his 2017 rookie year in the NFL. Since then, his on- ...

At that point, a company seeking to “articulate second chance or rebuilding” could surface, he says. “No one wanted to touch him for a while,” says Tony Ponturo, the former vice president of global sports and entertainment marketing at Anheuser-Busch. Woods repaired his image, though, and attracted sponsors, including Hyundai and software firm Take-Two Interactive. Schauder, who negotiated endorsement and licensing deals featuring athletes like Tiger Woods, said Watson’s alleged offenses could be viewed as a “capital offense from the endorsement standpoint.” However, he added that Watson’s “performance on the field, rehabilitation, public perception” would be factored in if companies explore hiring Watson. But even if that works, Rosner said Watson’s appeal still won’t “be for most brands.” Watson, says Rosner, will need to “convince the company that it’s worth the potential brand damage they could have.” Should he repair his image even slightly and the Browns perform well, firms could explore focus groups to test public perception, Ponturo says. The Texans traded Watson to the Browns earlier this year. A path seemed clear for Watson to rise to the top. Watson has denied the allegations, and two grand juries in Texas declined to bring criminal charges. In March 2021, Ashley Solis was the first of Watson’s accusers to speak publicly about Watson’s alleged assault during a private massage. On that front, it could be a while before Watson is rehabilitated enough to attract corporate interest, marketing experts tell Forbes. As crass as it is to discuss Watson’s moneymaking future, the wheels of commerce continue to turn with little regard to the disgusting nature of the behavior Watson has been accused of, as evidenced by the five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract he signed earlier this year with the Cleveland Browns. If the NFL and the players’ union approve the suspension, Watson will lose approximately $345,000 in salary, according to Spotrac, a website that tracks sports contracts. Watson, 26, the subject of two dozen sexual-misconduct allegations, has already missed the 2021 season due to legal entanglements and the horrific nature of the accusations.

NPR's A Martinez talks to ESPN panelist and Washington Post columnist Kevin Blackistone about the suspension of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson ...

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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.