NFL appeals Deshaun Watson’s 6-game suspension, seeking minimum 1-year ban: Source

The NFL will appeal the six-game suspension handed to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, the league announced Wednesday. The league is seeking an indefinite suspension that would last a minimum of one year, a source told The Athletic.

The NFL notified the NFLPA that it will appeal the disciplinary decision made by Judge Sue L. Robinson, the independent disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA. According to a statement from the league, commissioner Roger Goodell will determine who will hear the appeal.

On Monday, Robinson issued her ruling on Watson, who was accused by at least two dozen women of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. Robinson’s proposed discipline came after more than a month of deliberation following a three-day hearing from June 28-30.

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In a 15-page decision released by Robinson, the judge 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. But Robinson wrote, in justification of her decision, 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.”

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Ahead of Robinson’s decision, the NFLPA said it would stand by her ruling and called on the NFL to do the same.

Watson’s six-game suspension makes him eligible to play in Week 7, when the Browns play the Baltimore Ravens. That leaves Jacoby Brissett first in line to be the Browns’ starting quarterback after the franchise decided early in the offseason it was moving on from Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 and the team’s starting quarterback the last four seasons.

Watson has been in training camp with the Browns since July 23 and has been first in every line and every huddle since the team’s first spring practice in May.

Six missed game checks would cost Watson $345,000. He keeps all of his $45 million signing bonus and his full five-year contract will not be affected. The Browns gave him a $1 million base salary for 2022, allowing him to save money for the suspension and it was also part of the team’s larger effort to roll cap money forward and build a roster that should be an AFC contender in 2022 and 2023.

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.

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The Houston Texans reached settlements in July with 30 women who made, or intended to make, claims accusing Watson of sexual assault and sexual misconduct, attorney Tony Buzbee said. Buzbee represents the 24 women who have filed civil lawsuits against Watson. The terms of the settlements, including the amount paid to each woman, are confidential, Buzbee said.

The Texans released a statement shortly after news of the settlement was released, saying that they were shocked when they first became aware of the allegations, but that this settlement is in no way an admission of any misconduct on the part of the team.

Follow our live coverage for the latest news and updates on Deshaun Watson’s suspension.

(Photo: Ken Blaze / USA Today)