Deshaun Watson, in the cross-hairs of a personal conduct policy investigation and having settled civil lawsuits in the wake of not being charged criminally for an alleged pattern of graphic sexual misconduct, has been suspended for six games by a NFL disciplinary officer, according to league sources.
The Cleveland Browns’ star quarterback was suspended after being accused by female massage therapists of a pattern of sexual assault, misconduct, and harassment. Watson was not charged with any crimes by two Texas grand juries, and he has maintained his innocence. Backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett will start for the Browns while Watson is out.
Watson, 26, has the right to appeal the punishment, recommended by jointly appointed disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, but the NFL Players Association already announced in a statement that it does not intend to appeal her decision and requested that the league not appeal the suspension. An appeal must be filed within three days after Robinson’s decision.
Goodell can either hear the appeal himself or appoint a third-party arbiter. This marks the first decision rendered by Robinson, a former U.S. District Judge in Delaware, under a revised personal conduct policy altered two years ago in the collective bargaining agreement negotiated by the league and the NFL Players Association, the players’ union.
Should a punishment be appealed, Goodell or a designee will issue a written decision “that will constitute full, final and complete disposition of the dispute.”
Prior to the ruling, multiple league sources emphasized that the judge’s ruling couldn’t be predicted because Robinson hadn’t indicated what she has decided to either side.
One source characterized it as a victory for Watson.
The NFL presented four cases involving different massage therapists and attempted to establish a pattern of inappropriate behavior. The union argued that a potentially significant punishment for Watson would be unfair, since NFL owners who have faced allegations, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, and Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder, haven’t been dealt with harshly.
NFLPA issues statement about Watson situation
On Sunday evening, the NFLPA issued a statement regarding the looming disciplinary ruling.
“In advance of Judge Robinson’s decision, we wanted to reiterate the facts of this proceeding,” the union said in a statement. “First, we have fully cooperated with every NFL inquiry and provided the NFL with the most comprehensive set of information for any personal conduct policy investigation. A former Federal Judge — appointed jointly by the NFLPA and NFL — held a full and fair hearing, has read thousands of pages of investigative documents, and reviewed arguments from both sides impartially.
“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. This is why, regardless of her decision, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling and we call on the NFL to do the same.”
Settlement negotiations unsuccessful
Watson was represented by Houston attorney Rusty Hardin and NFL Players Association outside counsel Jeffrey L. Kessler. He was investigated by NFL senior vice president and special counsel for investigations Lisa Friel, a former Manhattan, N.Y.. chief sex crimes prosecutor. Friel interviewed Watson multiple times in Houston.
The NFL and the players’ union attempted to strike a compromise on a settlement of a proposed punishment of Watson, a former first-round draft pick from Clemson who didn’t play last season and was paid his full $10.54 million salary after requesting a trade from the Houston Texans, but sources emphasized that they never came close to a deal.
The reasoning from the league requesting an indefinite suspension would be to give them flexibility to potentially impose further discipline in the event that other allegations of misconduct surfaced. Although no DNA, audio, or video evidence exists in the cases, according to multiple sources, the NFL used text messages, depositions, and interviews to make its argument.
Watson’s legal team argued that the three-time Pro Bowl selection should receive little to no discipline under the NFL collective bargaining agreement based on the light discipline imposed previously against NFL owners Robert Kraft, Daniel Snyder, Jerry Jones, and Jerry Richardson for allegations of sexual misconduct. Watson reached a confidential settlement in 23 of 24 lawsuits, including original accuser Ashley Solis, that alleged sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or other inappropriate behavior with female massage therapists.
When the settlement was initially reached, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email to Pro Football Network that the settlement wouldn’t affect the ongoing league investigation, writing, “Today’s development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.”
Plaintiffs’ attorney Tony Buzbee previously added the Texans, Watson’s former NFL employer, in a lawsuit alleging they enabled the Georgia native’s behavior by providing a membership to the Houstonian hotel and spa and giving him a nondisclosure agreement for vendors. The Texans later reached 30 confidential settlements with the women while admitting no wrongdoing.
The nondisclosure agreement was given to him by a team security director after a female accuser threatened to “expose” Watson and posted his Cash App and telephone number on social media.
Buzbee stated that Watson sought out at least 66 different massage therapists and alleged the number is likely more than 100 therapists while employed by the Texans. Watson was traded to the Browns this offseason after he wasn’t charged criminally by two Texas grand juries.
Watson was traded in March from the Texans, in exchange for three first-round draft picks. He then signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal.
Watson maintained his innocence throughout the legal process.
“I’ve been honest and I’ve been truthful about my stance and that’s I never forced anyone, I never assaulted anyone,” Watson said during a press conference. “So, that’s what I’ve been saying it from the beginning and I’m going to continue to do that until all the facts come out on the legal side. I have to continue to just go with the process with my legal team and the court of law.”
Watson’s case information known thus far
The NFL and the players union previously attempted to strike a compromise on a settlement of a proposed punishment of Watson, who didn’t play last season and was paid his full $10.54 million salary after requesting a trade from the Texans. However, sources emphasized that they never came close to a deal.
The reasoning from the league behind a potential indefinite suspension, as the NFL imposed in the Vick dog fighting scandal and Rice’s domestic violence case, would be to give them the flexibility to potentially impose further discipline in case other allegations of misconduct surfaced. Although no DNA, audio, or video evidence exists in the cases, according to multiple sources, the NFL used text messages, depositions, and interviews to make its argument.
When the settlement was reached, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email to Pro Football Network that the settlement wouldn’t affect the ongoing league investigation, writing, “Today’s development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.”
Watson has maintained his innocence throughout the legal process.
“I’ve been honest and I’ve been truthful about my stance, and that’s I never forced anyone. I never assaulted anyone,” Watson said during a press conference. “So, that’s what I’ve been saying it from the beginning and I’m going to continue to do that until all the facts come out on the legal side. I have to continue to just go with the process with my legal team and the court of law.”
Aaron Wilson is a Pro Football Network reporter and analyst.