Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is facing a proposed six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, the NFL confirmed Monday.
The recommendation by Sue L. Robinson, the NFL and NFL Players’ Association’s appointed disciplinary officer, comes down after more than a month of deliberation following a three-day hearing from June 28-30.
Advertisement
In a 15-page decision, Robinson wrote that the NFL “carried its burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson engaged in sexual assault (as defined by the NFL) against the four therapists identified in the Report.”
The NFL had recommended Watson be suspended for the 2022 season and not permitted to return unless he satisfies conditions imposed for reinstatement, according to Robinson’s report.
But Robinson wrote that the league “is attempting to impose a more dramatic shift in its culture without the benefit of fair notice to — and consistency of consequence for — those in the NFL subject to the (personal conduct) Policy.”
The report outlined the NFL’s personal conduct policy, which was revised following the NFL’s disciplinary action against Ray Rice in 2014, and the precedents for discipline it established.
“The NFL responded by revising its Policy to include a presumptive 6-game suspension without pay for certain first-time violent offenders, including for Policy violations involving: (1) criminal assault or battery (felony); (2) domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse and other forms of family violence; or (3) sexual assault involving physical force or committed against someone,” the report includes.
Robinson wrote in the report that 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.”
“Although 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 before reviewed by the NFL,” Robinson wrote.
Robinson also recommended a mandate that Watson limit his massage therapy to “Club-directed sessions and Club-approved massage therapists” the rest of his career “as a condition to his reinstatement” and that the quarterback has “no adverse involvement with law enforcement, and must not commit any additional violations of the Policy.”
Advertisement
Robinson’s ruling isn’t final, as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could choose to overrule the decision. The league said Monday it has yet to make a decision on an appeal, which must be filed within three days.
“We thank Judge Sue L. Robinson for her review of the voluminous record and attention during a three-day hearing that resulted in her finding multiple violations of the NFL personal conduct policy by Deshaun Watson,” the league said in a statement Monday.
“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.”
Ahead of Robinson’s decision, the NFLPA said it would stand by her ruling and called on the NFL to do the same.
“Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office,” the players’ union said in a statement.
Watson will be eligible to return in Week 7 at the Ravens.https://t.co/M2Ex9GMeda pic.twitter.com/oSUWMQhQHo
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 1, 2022
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement that they respect Robinson’s decision.
“Throughout this process, Deshaun and his representatives have abided by the newy created and agreed upon process for the NFLPA and the NFL to defer to the objective Judge Sue L. Robinson to comprehensively review all information and make a fair decision. We respect Judge Robinson’s decision, and at the same time, empathize and understand that there have been many individuals triggered throughout this process,” the Haslams said. “We know Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many and he will continue the work needed to show who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him.”
Advertisement
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski commented on the proposed discipline Monday afternoon.
“I think all along we have been very consistent,” Stefanski said. “We did a lot of work on Deshaun the person. He’s working to be the best version of himself and he’s committed to that.”
The June hearing with Robinson followed a meeting in May between NFL officials and the 26-year-old quarterback, who has settled 23 of 24 civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual assault and sexual misconduct during massage appointments. In March, two Texas grand juries decided not to indict Watson on criminal charges.
The civil suits alleged Watson forced two women to perform oral sex, ejaculated on four women and in front of two others, groped four women and kissed another woman unprompted upon arrival for a massage appointment. Several of the since settled suits accused Watson of inappropriately touching women with his penis during massage therapy sessions.
Watson denied the allegations several times during an introductory news conference with the Browns in March, saying he has “never assaulted, or harassed or disrespected any woman.”
Several teams pursued Watson before Cleveland eventually made a trade with the Texans.
The Browns traded a 2022 first-round draft pick, 2023 first- and third-round picks and 2024 first- and fourth-round picks to Houston for Watson in March, in addition to giving him a large five-year contract extension that featured $230 million in guaranteed money — an NFL record.
GO DEEPER
Questions facing the Browns after the suspension of Deshaun Watson
(Photo: Ken Blaze / USA Today)