As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports, the scheduling order signed by the presiding judge in the lawsuits filed against Texans QB Deshaun Watson has set Watson’s deposition for February 22, 2022. That is over a week after Super Bowl LVI.
So unless there’s a settlement prior to that date, then Watson would theoretically be able to play the entire 2021 campaign with Houston — if he is willing to drop his previous trade demands in light of his current predicament — or with another club if a rival GM is willing to take a career-defining risk. Florio predicts that Watson will report to Houston’s training camp, and that’s when matters will truly come to a head.
Indeed, there is a very real possibility that Watson will be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list for an indefinite period of time, and perhaps until all 22 lawsuits are resolved. His first appearance at training camp could force Roger Goodell to make a decision in that regard one way or another.
Florio describes in a separate piece how the league’s personal conduct policy applies to Watson’s situation. The second paragraph of the paid leave section of the policy reads as follows: “when an investigation leads the Commissioner to believe that a player may have violated this Policy by committing any of the conduct identified above (relevant here is an act of sexual assault by force), he may act where the circumstances and evidence warrant doing so. This decision will not reflect a finding of guilt or innocence and will not be guided by the same legal standards and considerations that would apply in a criminal trial.”
Obviously, the language “may have violated” gives Goodell a great deal of discretion in deciding whether or not to place a player on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, and his decision will be guided in large part by PR considerations. Veteran NFL reporter John Clayton, writing for DenverFan.com, believes Watson may be suspended for a few games but will play in 2021, likening his situation to the sexual assault allegation that was levied against Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in 2010 (Roethlisberger was ultimately suspended for four games despite no criminal charges being filed).
It would seem, however, that the two matters are very different. For starters, Watson is facing 22 accusers, not “just” one. Plus, by the time Roethlisberger’s suspension was announced, it had already been determined that he would not face criminal charges, and all of the relevant facts had already come to light. But Watson’s deposition is not scheduled until next February, depositions of the 22 plaintiffs cannot commence until September 13, and the criminal investigation is ongoing. So it seems that if the league takes any action between now and a resolution of the lawsuits, it will come in the form of placing Watson on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, not in the form of a suspension.
Other than pay isn’t the exempt list essentially a suspension? You still can’t play and once a determination is made you would either be permitted to play or possibly get officially suspended as a result, but you’re not getting any of the exempt list games back.
Morel of the story, keep the kielbasa in the bag.
Bcuz of course it is just suspend him in the meantime and ultimately expulsion from the league for anything but total exoneration. If the allegations are true homie needs to be locked up know what I’m sayin no cap. If the allegations are false then damn but that sounds like a long shot. Suspend immediately
So guilty til presumed innocent is your take?
Did you miss the word ‘if’ in there?
And being ‘guilty’ (from a legal perspective) has absolutely nothing to do with it. The NFL could suspend him on reputation alone, considering it would be bad for the brand to let a guy who has been accused of sexual assault by 22 (!) women take the field.
Even after a couple of “Ifs,” ghostrobot still called for Watson to be suspended immediately, which makes afsooner02’s question – “So guilty til presumed innocent is your take?” – fair.
Agreed and understood plus this suspension until trial debate is pretty much all semantics anyway but there are plenty of people who are locked up for months until their trial begins because they pose a potential threat to society. Albeit that is mostly for more violent crimes, typically homicides, but they are technically incarcerated while still being presumed innocent until proven guilty by law so a suspension without having the trial first isn’t unreasonable. Besides if you were facing 22 sexual assault lawsuits do you think your employer would be waiting for the conclusion of the trial and any subsequent appeals to determine your employment status?
His question still isn’t fair, for the reason I mentioned in my second paragraph. ‘Guilty’ (like a legal, court definition) has nothing to do with it. The man has been accused by 22 women of sexual assault. He should be suspended.
Everyone has gotten on Goodell as far as his suspensions for violence against women go, especially when there’s no video evidence. For him to allow Watson to take the field would be a massive PR nightmare. From even a strict business perspective, there’s no way Watson should take the field unless some exonerating evidence comes out.
They’re kicking the can down the road because they have time, but if the season started tomorrow, Watson would be suspended/commissioner’s exempt list.
Regardless of his consent or what actually happened during these visits – didn’t he still break COVID protocol? If he did what is the punishment for that?
What?
What part of my comment did you not understand? His rub and tug visits broke the NFL’s COVID rules.
The part where violating some stupid Covid situation while not actually getting Covid is even in the same ballpark as 22 alleged sexual assaults.
In no way did I say anything of the sort. I was saying that, even if he didn’t do any of the stuff he is accused of, he still broke the COVID rules by meeting these girls.
The week after the season is over. Go figure.
Watson’s lawyer couldn’t have played it better, as Watson will get paid his entire salary and not have to suit up once for the Texans.
He’ll need that money for legal fees, payoffs and potentially his commissary account.
If Ben got 6 reduced to 4 games for 1 accusation, does that mean Warson missed the next 88 games?