The reactions have been plentiful concerning the settlement reached between the NFL and the NFLPA last month on the punishment for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The settlement came after the NFL decided to appeal the initial ruling from retired judge Sue Robinson of a six-game ban. Many thought the ban too lenient but the NFLPA threatened to take the matter to court if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided to make the ban last for a full season. Thus, the two parties arrived at the negotiated settlement for an 11-game ban, a $5MM fine, and mandatory counseling. 
There is still one victim of Watson’s actions who, unlike the NFL, refuses to settle with the new Browns’ quarterback. Lauren Baxley is the only one out of 24 plaintiffs who refuses to settle with Watson. In a statement article released by TheDailyBeast.com, Baxley delineated what keeps her from signing the dotted line.
“I have rejected all settlement offers, in part because they have not included any sincere acknowledgment of remorse and wrongdoings,” Baxley explained. “Watson still refuses to admit that he harassed and committed indecent assault against me. Any settlement offer he has made has been a dismissal of his evil actions.”
This is not an uncommon sentiment. An NFL senior advisor offered similar remarks in an article by Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. Rita Smith, a former 23-year executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence who now advises the NFL on matters of domestic violence and sexual assault, was disturbed by the heel-turn Watson made last month. Watson appeared to offer an apology to his accusers before the team’s preseason game on August 12, but, in a press conference about the settlement six days later, continued to remark on his own innocence in the matter, effectively wiping out any good will from what seemed to be an apology less than a week before. Smith told cleveland.com that she feels “like he’s playing us.”
Once again, this is not an uncommon sentiment. Reportedly, a high-ranking owner has become increasingly provoked by Watson’s lack of contrition, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Volin reports that one of the terms of the settlement was that Watson would “publicly show remorse” while Watson continues to “stand on [his] innocence.” Like Smith above, this owner also claims to “feel played by Watson.” The owner asserts that, should Watson continue not to show remorse, they may push for Goodell not to reinstate Watson at the conclusion of his 11-game ban.
The sentiment to push for a full-season ban is one not all owners share, though, according to Peter King of NBC Sports. According to King, some owners didn’t want Watson suspended for the full year. Instead, they preferred a suspension shorter than 17 games so that the Browns might be penalized for the fully-guaranteed structure of Watson’s contract. If Watson were to be suspended for all of the 2022 season, his contract would rollover one year, through the 2027 season. If Watson becomes eligible for some of the season, though, the Browns will owe him $40MM despite him only appearing in what is currently six games, and his contract will expire on time after the 2026 season.
All of this is yet to be seen. He may in the future show remorse, allowing him to settle with Baxley, the last remaining plaintiff, and endearing him to the league’s advisor on domestic violence and sexual assault. He may continue to stand on his innocence and provoke the NFL to extend his ban for not upholding the terms of the settlement.
For now, though, it appears that Watson has begun his league-mandated counseling, according to a more recent King article from NBC Sports. The hope seems to be that, through counseling, Watson will be able to understand “why he sought treatment from 66 massage therapists in 18 months;” that there’s a very real possibility that he did something wrong. While it may take years to reach any closure on the matter, Watson fulfilling the counseling mandate is as productive an action as we can hope to expect at this time.
Even the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history and a ton of talent won’t hide the stink on the legacy this guy has created.
If he doesn’t settle with this woman before his suspension is up. He could have a long time making it on the field again. I hope Ms. Baxley takes him to civil court and sues him for all his worth. I glad Ms. Baxley has her principles and all the evidence from Sue L. Robinson stating he’s a sexual predator and has no remorse of his actions.
He doesn’t have to settle with her to get back on the field. He’ll be coached on what to say and what not to say.
Of course you are all behind people being fake, just like you are. Everyone knows you are an imposter, Brownsbacker9.
He’s being coached right now on what to say and what not to say. He is not following this advice.
Because he’s an idiot. He thinks he did nothing wrong, even with this mandated counseling he will still never believe he did anything wrong. If he’s lucky he will be smart enough or let somebody convince him it is in his best interest to pretend to care.
Just a quick poll. How many people do you think are receptive to MANDATORY counseling?
If you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong and you don’t think you need counseling, are you going to accept it with open arms, or just see it as BS?
MeToo, meet NotNFLme! These are rich, famous, entitled athletes getting away with this because a huge organization protects them. But at the same time you had all these “victims” settle. Look at the owners who objected. Did they object on morality? No they objected on draft positions! “endear himself” to the woman whose in charge of the leagues faux responses to this? Even the author doesn’t take this seriously. What a choice of words! If a male was running that would he use that same terminology? No!!
Volumes have been written about what a piece of human (filth) the QB of the Rape City Browns is and what a despicable and terrible organization the Rape City Browns are and what a just as big a piece of human (filth) the owner of the Rape City Browns, Jimmy Haslam, is, but…
For just a minute, let’s focus on what an absolutely pathetic LOSER the QB of the Rape City Browns is…
Rich, famous NFL starting QB who can’t even get a woman alone in a room with him without paying them and can’t get anything beyond that without forcing them.
Anyone with a sliver of his fame or wealth would be knee deep in it, but he can’t find anyone will to be near him of their own volition. And, then, his anger arises.
So, you’ve got a violent predatory sexual assailant with the charm of drywall and the social skills of a wet paper bag laying along the side of the road who would need two, maybe three buses to transport all of his victims…have you bought your jersey yet, Rape City Browns fans?
I agree but instead of Cleveland, it should be Houston. Texas has more rapes than any State. Rape City Texans.
Texas does, but…
The mistake by the lake is Rape City, OH.
Texas is The State of Rape.
Both have earned their distinctions.
Oh. I didn’t know that Cleveland had that many rapist. I don’t follow anything but NFL football
Just proving that you are Brownsbacker9. I knew you’d do it sooner or later. You can’t stand anyone picking on your beloved DeShaun Watson.
Texas is not the state of rape. Too bad for you. I know you had plans to take a 2-week vacation there and get some rape on. Show up to Texas with those intentions and the only thing you’re going to get is a broken face.
“Number of forcible rape cases U.S. 2020, by state
Published by Statista Research Department, Jul 27, 2022
In 2020, Texas had the highest number of forcible rape cases in the United States, with 13,509 reported rapes. Vermont had the lowest number of reported forcible rape cases at 213.”
Also, is that Abbott’s plan to “eliminate rape”? Punching them in the face after they have already raped?
If so, I see the problem…
Their rape prevention strategy is going Uvalde-good.
That’s a pretty stupid comparison.
Texas has over 28 million people and its border towns are inundated with lawless drug runners and human smugglers. It is also a state with a number of dense urban areas that must contend with the attendant criminal underworld.
Vermont is an entirely different world with a tiny fraction of the population – an ironically homogeneous population given the passionate embrace of diversity by it’s political leadership.
So, you agree then that Texas is The State of Rape…you just want to add the addendum (Because of the Brown People!) to it?
Is that correct?
Of course you would defend Cleveland and try to deflect elsewhere, Brownsbacker9.
It’s also one of the largest states in the Union. When you do it by average. Rape per capita. Texas is not even in the top 15. You’re such a loser. Come to Texas and pop off like that and you’ll learn something about that state you should know. You’re more likely to get punched in the face in the state of Texas than any other state for saying something stupid. This is an accurate actual statistical fact and one that we are very proud of.
Don’t be a jerk in Texas
Brownsbacker9 is a well known troll. He’s trying to pretend to be me, but I’ve always had a lower case “p” in my name. He changes his handles all the time because people put him on mute and you can obviously see why.
Nobody cares . You are both losers
You seem to care, otherwise you wouldn’t take the time to comment.
BTW, what did Kevin Bass ever win? What a loser, just like you.
He soils the NFL shield whenever he plays in a game.
Absolutely. The Browns can’t help but to shoot themselves in the foot. It is almost like they are allergic to success.
Cue the circus music…
Typical, he will be booed relentlessly everywhere he plays
He’s a pig.
Imagine this
24 women alleged a naked man wrapped in a towel getting a massage harassed them and made them uncomfortable .but not one of the 24 alleged victims left the room.
They are all there still in that room even though he’s in Cleveland now. Boy, that must be awkward.