Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games for his “egregious” act of “sexualized contact” with masseuses, a league disciplinary officer ruled Monday.
NFL has three days to appeal retired federal judge’s findings sue l robinsonwho presided over the disciplinary hearing and rendered the decision.
Robinson ruled that there is “sufficient circumstantial evidence to support the NFL’s contention” that Watson sought sexual contact with multiple massage therapists he contacted through social media.
The quarterback “knew that sexualized contact was unwanted,” the judge added.
But he questioned the NFL’s desire to bench Watson for all of 2022.
“According to the NFL, if this recommended sentence is unprecedented (as characterized by Mr. Watson and the NFLPA), it is because his conduct is unprecedented,” Robinson added.
“It is inherently unfair to identify conduct as prohibited only after it has been committed, just as it is inherently unfair to change the sanctions for such conduct after the fact.”
The most typical suspensions for acts of domestic violence have been six-game bans, according to Robinson, adding that Watson is entitled to the benefit of some mitigating considerations.
He is a “first time offender”, had “an excellent reputation in his community prior to these events” and was already sidelined throughout. 2021 like these accusations loomed over him, according to the judge.
“Mr. Watson is hereby suspended for six (6) regular season games without pay,” it ruled. “Although this is the most significant punishment ever imposed on an NFL player for allegations of non-violent sexual conduct, Mr. Watson’s pattern of conduct is more egregious than any other reviewed by the NFL.”
The NFL said Monday that it is evaluating the ruling.
“We appreciate Judge Robinson’s diligence and professionalism throughout this process,” said a league statement said. “In light of her findings, the league is reviewing Judge Robinson’s imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps.”
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract with the Browns in March amid allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions involving more than 20 women.
His attorney and representatives of the Browns and the National Football League Players Association could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.
Watson has already missed a considerable amount of time on the field, having not played for the Houston Texans all of last season as his legal challenges played out and the team sought to change it.
Before the suspension fell, the National Football League Players Association and Watson said in a joint statement Sunday that they “will uphold their decision” and called on “the NFL to do the same.”
Few, if any, American companies are more closely monitored for their handling of incidents of domestic violence by employees than the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was initially suspended for just two games in 2014 after troubling surveillance video showed him knocking out his future wife and dragging her body out of an elevator.
The rice was finally suspended indefinitely but the seemingly mild initial discipline forced the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to admit: “I didn’t do well. Bottom line, we have to do better. And we will.”
Other notable cases of domestic violence suspensions in recent years have included: Ezekiel Elliott, running back for the Dallas Cowboys (six games in 2017), Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (10 sets in 2015) Y Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (four games in 2018).
The attorney representing the women who accuse Watson of misconduct announced confidential agreements in 23 of 24 civil lawsuits.
“Today I am announcing that all but four of the cases against Deshaun Watson have been resolved. We are working on the paperwork related to those agreements. Once we have done that, those particular cases will be dismissed,” attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing the plaintiffs in the case, said in a statement to NBC News.
“The terms and amounts of the agreements are confidential. We will not comment further on the settlements or those cases.”
In his statement, Buzbee credited plaintiff Ashley Solis, who was the first to come forward and accuse Watson of sexual misconduct. Solís’ case remains one of four unsolved cases.
Buzbee said of the open cases: “Ashley Solis is one of the heroes of this story. Her case has not been resolved and so her story and that of the other three brave ones will continue. I look forward to judging these cases in due course, consistent with other docket obligations and the court’s schedule.”
Buzbee declined to comment substantively on any NFL action against Watson.
“I have been repeatedly asked about my thoughts regarding the NFL proceeding with Deshaun Watson. While some of my clients have strong feelings about it, I have nothing meaningful to say about that process,” he said.
“I said at the beginning that the civil process and the disciplinary process in the NFL are very different. My role was to advance the cause of my clients, in civil court, nothing more.”
Watson’s accusers allege he inappropriately touched them after hiring them as massage therapists and personal trainers.
Two grand juries in Texas refused to press charges against Watson in March. District attorneys in both cases did not explain why the grand jurors declined to indict.
Watson has denied any wrongdoing.
His attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a June statement: “Deshaun Watson did nothing wrong. And as two grand juries have made clear, Deshaun did nothing illegal.”
“Deshaun has always acknowledged consensual sexual activity with three of the plaintiff masseuses after massages. And Deshaun has repeatedly sworn under oath that he did not force any of his accusers to have sexual contact.”
Watson, a 26-year-old Gainesville, Ga., native and Clemson University alumnus, has been in the NFL since 2017. Watson had his best season in 2020 with the Texans, leading the league with 4,823 passing yards to go with 33 touchdowns.
A six-game suspension would make Watson eligible to play in the Browns’ Game 7 next season. on October 23 when Cleveland is ready to visit the Baltimore Ravens.
The Browns, who traded for the embattled quarterback in marchcould stay with Officer Jacoby Brissett as its start signal the caller in the absence of Watson.
This is a developing story. Please update here for updates.