NEW YORK, United States —
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was
issued a six-game ban Monday by
NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson after
she investigated sexual misconduct allegations against the player.
اضافة اعلان
The league has
three days to appeal for a tougher punishment against Watson, the former
Houston Texans star who was traded to Cleveland in March and signed an NFL
record five-year guaranteed deal worth $230 million.
The NFL Players
Association said on Sunday it would not appeal former US District Court Judge
Robinson’s verdict on Watson violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
NFL commissioner
Roger Goodell, or his designated appointee, will make a final decision on
appeal, but the league could be looking at a long court fight with the NFL
Players Association heading into next month’s start of the 2022 campaign if it
seeks harsher punishment.
The NFL Network and
league website announced the suspension details.
Robinson issued
a 15-page finding after arguments in late June from the league, the union, and
Watson’s lawyers in a three-day hearing on five cases presented by the NFL.
Watson has been
accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions in
civil lawsuits filed by 25 women.
The incidents took
place between March 2020 and March 2021 while he was with the Texans.
No criminal charges
were brought against Watson, who has maintained his innocence. One of the
lawsuits was dropped, Watson settled 20 more and four remain are set to go to
trial.
The Texans reached
settlements with 30 women who were prepared to make claims against the club for
its alleged role in enabling Watson’s behavior.
Watson, who led the
NFL in 2020 with 4,823 passing yards, missed the entire 2021 season under the
“non-injury/personal matter” category of the league’s collective bargaining
agreement.
The Browns said
they conducted an “extensive” investigation into the allegations against Watson
before signing the quarterback to a long-term deal, knowing he faced the
possibility of a long ban to begin the 2022 season.
Watson, 26,
reported to Browns pre-season training camp last week. The three-time Pro Bowl
all-star will be replaced at quarterback by Jacoby Brissett during the
suspension, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said.
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