Embroiled in what has become a career-defining scandal for more than 14 months now, Deshaun Watson will learn his NFL punishment soon. Roger Goodell said the league is “nearing the end” of its investigatory process, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The league met with Watson last week and is expected to meet with the Browns quarterback again in an investigation that defense attorney Rusty Hardin expects to end by June or July. The 22 civil suits Watson is facing, however, will not be complete until 2023, per Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com. The NFL’s initial punishment will commence far before the civil trials conclude.
Both Watson’s legal team and Tony Buzbee, who is representing the massage therapists who have accused the Pro Bowl passer of sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault, have agreed not to go through depositions between August 1 and March 1. When the civil trials wrap, the NFL could impose additional punishment. While it is uncertain if the league will end up punishing Watson, a suspension has long been expected. The Browns structured Watson’s five-year, $230MM contract in a way that would anticipate punishment, dropping his 2022 base salary to a league-minimum $1.1MM.
The NFL has met with more than half of Watson’s accusers, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Independent arbitrator Sue Robinson, a former U.S. District Court Judge, will render the initial verdict. The NFL and NFLPA can appeal her decision, which would send the matter to Goodell, who has drawn scrutiny for his disciplinary decisions for much of his tenure as commissioner.
HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel recently aired a piece featuring two of Watson’s accusers, Kyla Hayes and Ashley Solis, detailing their allegations. While Watson and his camp have continued to deny all accusations of wrongdoing, Hardin has acknowledged his team was “not going to win the battle of public opinion,” via Cabot. Though two grand juries did not charge Watson, players do not need to be charged with crimes to be suspended. Considering the ongoing civil trials hanging over Watson until 2023, the sixth-year veteran will undoubtedly play this season amid controversy.
They can’t win the court of public opinion because there are 22 allegations. Most folks are bright enough to know that where there’s that much smoke, there’s usually fire.
22 games
it’s only fair..
22 seasons. Fairer.
“Well then as of this moment they’re on Double Secret Probation!”
Four to five years and registering as a sex offender is more in order.
Maybe they would have more benefit of the doubt if they haven’t stepped on every PR Landmine the last 20 or so years.
*Karen Carpenter sings opening notes of “We’ve Only Just Begun”*
I find it hilarious that the fans who continually made sure Roethlisberger wouldn’t forget his past are the ones who’ll wrap their arms around this guy. Sheesh, what a world
Well maybe half the folks out there …
I wish these trials were on Asmongold
What does the NFL think there gonna find that the legal system didn’t?
Enough to meet their own standards for punishment, but not enough for the standards of a court of criminal law. This was also the case with Big Ben.
The league has its own personal conduct policy and that’s what Watson is being judged against, not the legal system.
The NFL is so weak when it comes to player discipline they won’t even fine or suspend him. Watson should be thrown out of the league but They’ll probably give him a $100M bonus and have him serve as a game ambassador. This is an embarrassment beyond belief!
Over 50 masseuses accused him of sexual misconduct, but only 22+ filed a court case. The penalty should thus be 50 games.
Wrong. 24 accused him and 22 are filing suit. 24 that never called the police on him
You clearly only read the headlines.
You should go to the authorities with your proof because they don’t seem to have enough
His punishment will probably be a six game suspension that he appeals down to four. That’s the typical punishment for the worst domestic or sexual violence. Now if he had smoked weed, he might have faced a serious suspension.
So for everyone that thinks Watson is guilty because of the sheer number of accusations, did you vote for Trump?
LOL. Hilarious analogy. 26 sex assault complaints on the books, including a 14 year old. Lifetime con man and sh*tstain of a human being. The answer is no. Never. And add wannabe dictator and traitor to your list
Happy now?
Yes, I’m happy you didn’t vote for him but apparently 74 million people didn’t care about the allegations levied against him and I’m guessing some on here wanting to hang Watson love Trump
Well if I had to pick between Watson and Biden, I’d pick Watson too.
But Biden won
I didn’t, but now you’ve pivoted from trying to discredit the victims to playing whataboutism. Your defenses of Watson are inconsistent, bad faith, and gross. Again, you could just say nothing.
I’m not questioning the women. I’m backing the investigation of law enforcement. Something happened. Watson admitted to it. People seem to think Watson is guilty of rape even though he’s never been charged and the people that think Watson is guilty know nothing because they weren’t there
Definitely sexual assault, not rape.
Were you there? I’m just going on what the authorities are doing. No charges
One person who’s paying attention to this is Baker Mayfield. If Watson is suspended for a significant amount of time (i.e., 4 or more games), the Browns won’t be in a rush to trade him or release him since they’re on the hook for his contract this year anyway.
The penalty will be minimal otherwise the Browns wouldn’t have traded for him! I’m guessing 4 games
As previously stated. Let’s see what Roger Goodell and the NFL do with this one? Guilty or not guilty, criminal or civil? This NFL has been a crusader against the very thing Watson is accused of. Social injustice, racial inequities, gender bias, sexual equality for all the list goes on. I’m not against any of these arguments. Simply looking at what the league has painted themselves into politically since going into the “cause” business.
How in anyway shape or form will they allow Watson to take another snap in the league? If they do they can take the last few years of Goodell in his sweater announcing change chair of right and wrong back to the basement closet.
For those who chat: INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY there’s a guy that used to play QB in SF. Never accused of anything that went to court yet he hasn’t taken a snap since? Thats my point here! How can they let him play again or is it simply dollars?
There’s also a guy that was President that had more accusations against him. It was investigated and there were no criminal charges.